School of Pythagoras

Hidden within the grounds of St John’s College, Cambridge, lies the School of Pythagoras. It whispers tales of centuries past. Let’s uncover its secrets together. The School of Pythagoras stands as the oldest secular building in Cambridge. It predates even the university itself, harking back to around 1200. Originally a private house called the Stone House, it was home to the Dunning family. This family played a significant role in Cambridge’s early history. The School of Pythagoras passed through generations of Dunnings, witnessing their fortunes rise and fall. Eventually, it fell into the hands of Walter de Merton, founder of Merton College, Oxford, in 1270. Merton’s acquisition aimed to provide a haven for scholars during turbulent times in Oxford. Cambridge, with its growing academic community, offered a suitable refuge. Though intended as a “house of scholars,” the School of Pythagoras primarily served as a source of income for Merton College, managed by tenant farmers and bailiffs. For centuries, the land surrounding the School of Pythagoras yielded crops. Its halls remained silent, awaiting a new chapter. In 1808, the quiet was broken by the arrival of Newton Bosworth. He transformed Merton Hall, an extension of the School of Pythagoras, into a private boys’ boarding school. The halls echoed with the murmur of young voices. Subjects like Latin, Greek, mathematics, and even tea in the afternoon were offered. Yet, this era was short-lived. By 1811, Bosworth had departed. The School of Pythagoras was again still. Decades later, the building buzzed with activity. It became a temporary home for the pioneering women students of Newnham College in the 1870s. Mary Paley, a future economics lecturer, resided within its walls, recalling the “lovely gardens” and the School of Pythagoras’s reputation for being haunted. During the 20th century, the School of Pythagoras found new life. Thomas Thornely, a poet and academic, leased Merton Hall, hosting musical evenings and capturing the building’s charm in his verses. In the 1960s, following extensive renovations, the School of Pythagoras transformed into a theater, hosting plays, readings, and conferences. Finally, in 2011, the School of Pythagoras embarked on its current role. It became the St John’s College Archive Centre, preserving centuries of history. The building underwent another major refurbishment. It now houses a vast collection of documents in a climate-controlled environment, ensuring their preservation for future generations. But what of its intriguing name? The connection to Pythagoras remains a mystery. Theories abound, ranging from Pythagoras himself teaching there to the building’s shape resembling the Greek letter upsilon, a Pythagorean symbol. The most likely explanation points to a gradual association with learning over the centuries. The School of Pythagoras is a silent witness to Cambridge’s rich history. From private home to school, theatre to archive, it has stood the test of time, its stones whispering tales of scholars, poets, and pioneers.