The Bible (from the Greek βιβλίον, The Book) has been the most influential written text ever produced. Portions are available in some 4,000 translations, nearly half of known languages, and the whole text in at least 770 languages. The story of its translation is one of extraordinary human endeavour, linguistically, intellectually, technically, socially, and politically. 2026 is the anniversary of the publication of the first completed edition of William Tyndale’s New Testament, freshly translated from the Greek, one of the great milestones in the production of the Bible in English. The first complete Bible printed in England was the second edition of Miles Coverdale’s translation. To mark the 500th anniversary and celebrate some of these linguistic triumphs we are putting on an exhibition predominantly using the collections of Christ Church Library.

A highlight of the exhibition is Brasenose College’s 13th-century Founder's Bible which is generously lent by the Principal and Governing Body. Alongside this will feature a broad selection of items from Christ Church’s collections, including a 13th-century French manuscript New Testament, English translations by Wycliffe, Coverdale and Tyndale and printed editions in languages from all over the world. This is the first time the Brasenose Founder’s Bible has been exhibited in public and the manuscript will be a major feature of a study day which we are running on Saturday 24 October.  Distinguished speakers will explore the enduring effort to translate the Bible into the world’s native languages and how the vernacular Bibles produced during the 15th and early 16th centuries brought the Bible to non-clerical readers for the first time. 

The exhibition runs from 13 October to 16 December 2026. Open Tuesday 10am-1pm; Wednesday 1pm- 4pm and other times by appointment

Christ Church Upper Library, St Aldates, Oxford OX1 1DP. Please note that there is no step-free access. 

Translating the Bible: A Study Afternoon

Sir Michael Dummett Lecture Theatre, Christ Church, Oxford OX1 1 DP

Saturday 24 October 2026, 1.30pm-7pm

Distinguished speakers will explore the enduring effort to translate the Bible into the world’s native languages and how the vernacular Bibles produced during the fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries brought the Bible to non-clerical readers for the first time. 

Registration includes refreshments (not lunch): £15; £5 concessions (for University of Oxford staff and alumni, and those over 65); free for students of any institution and those who are unemployed. Proof of eligibility must be presented with your ticket when you visit.  Booking via Eventbrite is essential: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/translating-the-bible-a-study-afternoon-tickets-1999090434303?aff=oddtdtcreator

Programme

1.30-2pm: Registration

2-2.15pm Welcome: Rowena E Archer and Emily Guerry

2.15-2.45pm: The Reverend Professor John Barton (University of Oxford), ‘Translating the Bible’

2.45-3.30pm: Dr Ana Dias and Dr Emily Guerry (University of Oxford), 'BNC MS1 The Founder's Bible: the Vulgate of St Jerome'

3.30pm: Tea Break

4 - 4.30pm: Dr Elizabeth Solopova (University of Oxford), 'The Wycliffite Bible: The First Complete Translation of the Vulgate in English’

4.30-5pm: Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch (University of Oxford), 'William Tyndale in the Beginnings of the English Reformation'

5pm: Closing Remarks

5.15pm: Visit to the Upper Library exhibition* and drinks reception.

* We regret that there is no step-free access to the Upper Library

Book here for the study day on 24 October.