This Radcliffe Camera ghost story dates back to the 17th century and centres around an ambitious and brilliant Oxford scholar. According to the legend, the scholar was deeply dissatisfied with the pace of his studies and the limitations of human knowledge.
Obsessed with mastering all the secrets of the universe, he turned to dark arts and ultimately made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul, the devil granted him unparalleled knowledge and intellectual power, allowing him to achieve scholarly heights that no one else could match.
The story of the scholar who made a pact with the devil serves as a chilling reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of knowledge at any cost. It’s a tale that has been passed down through generations of Oxford students, adding to the mystique and allure of the Radcliffe Camera, one of the university’s most iconic buildings.
The Story and Anecdotes of Sightings
As the story goes, one fateful night, while the scholar was working alone in the Radcliffe Camera, the devil came to collect his due. Witnesses claimed to have heard terrifying noises and seen strange lights emanating from the library, and when they entered, they found the scholar’s body, lifeless and contorted in a position of utter horror. It is said that the devil dragged his soul to hell, leaving behind only his physical remains.
The scholar’s newfound knowledge made him famous throughout Oxford, and he often spent long hours in the Radcliffe Camera, a grand library that was, even then, a symbol of academic excellence. However, as the years passed, the scholar began to regret his bargain. The weight of his impending doom—eternal damnation—grew unbearable, and he sought ways to break the pact.
Since that night, the ghost of the scholar is rumored to haunt the Radcliffe Camera. Students and visitors have reported strange occurrences in the library, especially after dark. These include unexplained cold drafts, books falling off shelves without cause, and even the faint sound of whispers or scratching noises when the library is otherwise silent.
Some who claim to have seen the ghost describe it as a shadowy figure, often seated at a desk as if still engrossed in study, or pacing the halls in apparent distress. The ghost is said to be forever searching for a way to undo the pact he made, doomed to wander the Radcliffe Camera for all eternity, never finding peace.
Visiting the Radcliffe Camera Today
The Radcliffe Camera is located in the heart of Oxford, in Radcliffe Square. It’s part of the Bodleian Library complex and is surrounded by other historic buildings, including the Bodleian Library, the University Church of St. Mary the Virgin, and All Souls College.
The Radcliffe Camera is primarily a reading room for the Bodleian Library and is mainly accessible to students and members of the University of Oxford. However, you can walk around it any night of the year, as Radcliffe Square is open 24/7!
