History & Legacy

Front of Rhodes House in bright sunshine

From its opening in 1929, Rhodes House has enjoyed a storied past, playing host to world figures from Albert Einstein to Nelson Mandela. Today, the House has been reimagined for the 21st Century, through a three-year project to refresh and restore its traditional rooms, while creating new spaces fit for the 21st century and beyond.

Legacy, Equity & Inclusion

Throughout our history, the Rhodes Scholarship has had a distinctive focus on selecting and investing in people we believe will become change agents for good. Our mission and complicated legacy drive our strong commitment to this work.

Our reputation as the world's most distinguished academic scholarship rests not on the controversial life of our founder but on the enormous contributions our Scholars have made to the world.

We take ownership of our responsibility to engage more fully, critically and honestly with our history, to equip ourselves with the knowledge and skills to engage in anti-racist action, and to take concrete steps to make our communities more inclusive and diverse.

To find out more about the Rhodes Trust's ongoing work on legacy, equity & inclusion, visit the Rhodes Trust LEI page.

McCall MacBain Hall Floating Garden Sculpture photo from below

A place to think

Since its opening, Rhodes House has been a home for Rhodes Scholars from around the world, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers as leaders, scientists, researchers, writers, artists, doctors and sportspeople.

Opening up the House allows us to share that unique atmosphere with people from our Oxford community and beyond.

View of the Rhodes House courtyard and Conference Hall at night with windows lit, Hall set up for a conference.

Historic architecture

Rhodes House was designed by Sir Herbert Baker, and was built between 1926 and 1928. A listed, grade II* building, Rhodes House reflects a number of influences: Cape Dutch farmhouse, English country mansion, and the Arts and Crafts movements of the 1900s.

Rhodes House has been reimagined with a major development designed by the multi award-winning practice Stanton Williams Architects. Find out more in this video about the transformation of Rhodes House.

Distinguished guests

Rhodes House has played host to hundreds of guests and speakers, including Queen Elizabeth II, Nelson Mandela, Albert Einstein, the Dalai Lama, and many others from the Rhodes Scholar community and beyond.