Tolkien and Lewis pub bought by tech institute

February 11, 2025

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Bill Nicholls Eagle and Child — The Eagle and Child in St Giles’ has a plaque inside commemorating the writers’ get-togethers

An Oxford pub that was frequented by authors CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien has been bought by a research institution building a campus in the city.

The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT), founded by US tech billionaire Larry Ellison, said it had bought the Eagle and Child, which shut in 2020.

The pub in St Giles’ dates back to 1650 and has a plaque inside commemorating the writers’ get-togethers.

EIT said it would “refurbish and reopen the iconic venue”.

Known as The Inklings, Tolkien and Lewis would regularly meet with other academics at the Grade II listed pub, which was previously owned by St John’s College.

Getty Images / PA Media CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien — CS Lewis (left) and JRR Tolkien would discuss their work in progress at the pub

EIT said the designs for the pub would be led by architect Norman Foster and his team at Foster and Partners, who are also the architects behind the new campus.

The company’s founding director and CEO, Dr David Agus, said: “The Eagle and Child pub is a truly historic venue that has hosted some of the greatest minds Oxford has had to offer for over 300 years.

“We are humbled and proud to be able to safeguard this treasured pub’s future and continue its legacy as a place for brilliant people to come together, including for our Ellison scholars.”