Did you know St Catharine’s College is known as “Catz”? It is a nickname that has stuck with the college. Let’s delve into its story.
St Catharine’s College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. It stands proudly on Trumpington Street. The college is south of King’s College. It is right across the street from Corpus Christi College.
Robert Woodlark founded St Catharine’s College in 1473. He was the Provost of King’s College. Woodlark acquired land for the new college as early as 1459. He wanted to create a place for theological and philosophical study. The college was initially called “Lady Katharine Hall”. It received its royal charter in 1475 from Edward IV.
The name likely honors Catherine of Alexandria. She is the patron saint of learning. The Catharine wheel symbolizes her martyrdom. It appears on the college arms. St Catharine’s College was formally founded on St Catherine’s Day on November 25 1473.
Initially, St Catharine’s College focused on fellows. Undergraduates were not a priority. By 1550 the college shifted its focus. It began to teach undergraduates.
Entering the 17th century, St Catharine’s College was still small. Prudent masters and generous benefactors changed its fortunes. Rapid growth required expansion. Short-lived additions were made in 1622. By 1630 the college began demolishing decaying buildings. Work then started on a new court.
In 1637 St Catharine’s College acquired the George Inn. This was later the Bull Hotel on Trumpington Street. Its stable manager Thomas Hobson had a practice. He only allowed hirers to take the horse longest in the stable. This led to the expression “Hobson’s choice”. It means “take it or leave it”.
From 1675 to 1757 the college site was redeveloped. It became a large three-sided court. Only six Oxbridge colleges have this feature. The others are at Sidney Sussex, Jesus and Downing at Cambridge. The others are Trinity College and Worcester at Oxford. Worcester College is St Catharine’s sister college.
St Catharine’s College received new statutes in 1860. It adopted its current name then. An 1880 movement sought to merge St Catharine’s College with King’s College. The colleges were adjacent. It seemed a solution for King’s need for space. It seemed a solution for St Catharine’s need for funds. Master Charles Kirkby Robinson opposed the merger. St Catharine’s College eventually refused.
A major rebuilding project occurred in 1966. Professor E. E. Rich was the master then. A new larger hall and new kitchens were created. An accommodation block was shared between St Catharine’s College and King’s College.
Accommodation pressure grew. In 1981 further accommodation was built at St Chad’s on Grange Road. More rooms were added there in 1998. In 2013 St Catharine’s College completed a new lecture theatre. It also built a new college bar and JCR.
The college broadened its membership in 1979. It began to welcome female students. In 2006 the first woman became Master. Dame Jean Thomas was appointed.
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic St Catharine’s College collaborated with Cambridge Women’s Aid. They allowed women escaping domestic abuse to stay in college accommodation.
Between 2020 and 2022 the facilities were renovated. This was part of the “Central Spaces project”. A temporary hall was erected. It was named “Catzebo”. The name was chosen after a student vote. The official opening for the new areas occurred in October 2022. The cost was around 16 million pounds.
Remember the nickname “Catz” as you leave. St Catharine’s College has a rich history. Its story is one of adaptation and growth.