Founded in 1950 by a group of young bibliophiles under the leadership of John Granger, Bent Juel-Jensen, and R. John Rickett, the first meeting of the Oxford University Society of Bibliophiles took place in Hilary Term, 1951.

For fifty years, the Society held regular events throughout the University terms, during which leading bibliographers, librarians, collectors, booksellers, and other literary figures of the period addressed the Society or hosted visits. Many of the Society's Junior Members became prominent figures in the world of books, and some continued to serve as Senior Members of the Society.

After an extended hiatus in the early 2000s, the Society was refounded in Trinity Term, 2008, by a new generation of Oxford students with assistance from Cristina Dondi, Richard Ovenden, and a few surviving members of the former Society (notably Colin Franklin and Paul W. Nash).

By long-standing tradition, our events are announced on hand-printed term cards, commissioned from distinguished letterpress printers (including the Incline, Rampant Lions, Stanbrook Abbey, St James Park, and Whittington Presses). Another tradition is the ‘Warden’s Meeting’ (inaugurated by John Sparrow, preeminent bibliophile and Warden of All Souls), at which members present and pass around items from their personal libraries.

Everyone is warmly encouraged to become a member. Please find our current programme under the "events" tab above and membership details below.