Portal:University of Oxford/Selected college/38

Worcester College, to the west of the city centre, dates back to 1283 as Gloucester College, a college for Benedictine monks which was closed in about 1539 during the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Some of the buildings, known as "the cottages", are from the time of Gloucester College and are among the oldest residential buildings in Oxford. After a gap of about 20 years, Gloucester Hall was established, which became Worcester College in 1714 following a benefaction from Sir Thomas Cookes of Worcestershire. The chapel (which Oscar Wilde called a "perfect" piece of "simple decorative and beautiful art"), hall, and library were rebuilt in the 18th century; some of the designs were by George Clarke, who left his collection of books and manuscripts to the college. Further buildings have been constructed on the main college site, which has extensive grounds, and elsewhere in Oxford. Worcester College has about 400 undergraduates and 170 graduate students. Professor Jonathan Bate was appointed as the college's Provost in 2011. Alumni include the author Richard Adams, the composer Rachel Portman, the actress Emma Watson and the businessman Rupert Murdoch.