The Bodley Club
The Bodley Club was founded in 1894 as a literary discussion group, but has over the years developed into the College's speaker society. The only criterion for selecting speakers is that they should be "fabulously interesting", and the Club hosts prominent individuals from all fields, including authors, scientists, and other public figures. All suggestions are welcome via our Facebook page. Events are usually open to any member of the University, but some are restricted to Mertonians only.
Since being founded as a literary discussion group in 1894, the Bodley Club has evolved into Merton’s speaker society, with this year’s talks drawing in a broad audience from across the University.
A wonderfully informative first talk came from a titan in the Law, Sir Brian Leveson, former President of the Queen's Bench Division and Head of Criminal Justice. Sir Brian gave a fascinating talk about his impressive life and career ranging from his first days at Merton to the inquiry for which he is perhaps most well known. His talk blended the many threads of his life into such a perfectly pitched mix of humour, wisdom and advice that it set a very high bar for our future speakers.
This bar was, however, met by our second speaker, Merton’s own Dr James Kempton (2011), who recently received publicity for his team’s rediscovery of Attenborough’s lost echidna in the Cyclops Mountains of Indonesian New Guinea. James provided us with a gripping overview of the expedition itself (no gory details spared), alongside a thought-provoking reflection on the nature of scientific evidence and what it means to have rediscovered a species that locals have seen much more recently than western scientists. He also provided background on the wider aims of the expedition and his hopes for the future, which were compelling to listen to.
Our third speaker was arranged by our wonderful secretary Eleanor Clark (2023), who invited George Zachariah (1991), a Merton alumnus now working for the UN. George gave us a captivating overview of his role in peacekeeping processes in a variety of countries, highlighting the nuances and more general themes in each situation. The talk left us with many points to reflect on about the current global situation as well as a much better understanding of the breadth and variety of the work the UN does.
A particular highlight of this year was our annual Bodley Club Dinner, held in Hilary for members and guests in the SCR. As ever, we are indebted to our senior member, Fra’ John Eidinow, without whom none of this would have been possible. We look forward to seeing what the next year holds.
Nat Otley and Bea Bannister (2022)
Bodley Club Co-Presidents 2023-24
Unfortunately this has been a very quiet year for the Bodley Club, as the ongoing pandemic has made it rather difficult to fulfil the Club’s mandate to invite speakers from without or within the College who are deemed to be ‘fabulously interesting’ and from wide-ranging disciplines. Although it is a shame to have had to delay or cancel events throughout the year, including our Annual Dinner and Garden Party, we very much look forward to resuming our series of speakers as things begin to open up. Watch this space for Michaelmas 2021!
I am delighted to be handing the presidency of the club to Guy Smith (2018), whom I’m sure will take the lead in reinvigorating our programme of speakers once we can return to in-person events. I would like to thank Alex Beukers (2018) and Victor Ajuwon (2015, Secretary) for their continuing efforts in running the Club, as well as to our Senior Member, Fra’ John Eidinow (1986, Fellow), whose advice is always invaluable.
Wick Willett (2017)
Bodley Club President 2019-21