2-756-481 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'North View of Friar Bacon's Study at Oxford', late 18th century, (1943). The tower to the left of Folly Bridge housed the study of Roger Bacon (c1214-1292), English experimental scientist, philosopher and Franciscan friar. Bacon was known as 'Doctor Mirabilis' due to his interest in magic and alchemy, the pursuit of which led ultimately to his being expelled from the Franciscan order. He experimented with optics and lenses, leading to the development of spectacles. By the late 18th century this study had become a place of pilgrimage for scientists. Samuel Pepys visited it in 1669, remarking: 'So to Friar Bacon's study: I up and saw it, and gave the man 1s[hilling]...Oxford mighty fine place'. The building was pulled down in the 18th century to allow for road widening. From "British Philosophers', by Kenneth Matthews. [Collins, London, 1943]