A demyship (also "demy" for the recipient) is a form of

scholarship A scholarship is a form of Student financial aid, financial aid awarded to students for further education. Generally, scholarships are awarded based on a set of criteria such as academic merit, Multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion, athleti ...

or research affiliation at

Magdalen College, Oxford Magdalen College ( ) is a Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent college of the University of Oxford. It was founded in 1458 by Bishop of Winchester William of Waynflete. It is one of the wealthiest Oxford colleges, as of 2022, and ...

. The title of "demy" is held by undergraduates who have been awarded a scholarship at Magdalen and are members of the college foundation, and is equivalent to "postmaster" at

Merton College Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 1260s when Walter de Merton, chancellor ...

(see below) and "scholar" at other Oxford colleges. Historical notable demies at Magdalen College include individuals such as

Oscar Wilde Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde (16 October 185430 November 1900) was an Irish author, poet, and playwright. After writing in different literary styles throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular and influential playwright ...

and T. E. Lawrence. Historically, the term is derived from ''demi-socii'' or ''half-

fellow A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned society, learned or professional society, p ...

s'', being formerly entitled to half the allowance awarded to Fellows. For many years a demyship carried an emolument of £60 per year. Today, the more senior title of "Senior Demy" describes an honorary research position given to individuals who hold professorial, post-doctoral or fellowship roles elsewhere at the University of Oxford or externally. These individuals are elected to a demyship by the governing body of Magdalen College, with the recipients demonstrating outstanding scholarly and research excellence. "Demy" and "demies" are pronounced to rhyme with "deny" and "surmise", rather than "semi(s)". Whilst Magdalen is unique amongst Oxbridge colleges in using the term Demies,

Merton College, Oxford Merton College (in full: The House or College of Scholars of Merton in the University of Oxford) is a Colleges of the University of Oxford, constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. Its foundation can be traced back to the 126 ...

is similarly unusual in designating their scholars "postmasters", with a Postmasters Hall in ancient times.

Historical foundation

When Magdalen College was founded in 1458 by William of Waynflete, Bishop of Winchester, the Founder ordained that in addition to forty senior scholars, or Fellows, there should be 'thirty poor scholars, commonly called Demies, of good morals and dispositions fully equipped for study'. Recipients are still admitted to the College's Foundation. Whilst the original provision was for 30 scholars, in line with most colleges this number has increased to more than twice that in most years. Richard Mayew, President of the College from 1480 to 1507, added further statutes, resulting in many elections to fellowships and demyships at the College.

Entitlement

Demies are entitled to attend various ceremonies and dinners. Most notably, all demies and scholars attend the annual Restoration Dinner on 25 October, held annually to commemorate the Restoration of the President and Fellows in 1688. Historically, demies and scholars also received a token sum of money, usually 10p, at the giving of Claymond's Dole' each year, in a service to commemorate the gift to the College of former President John Claymond (1507–16).

Admission ceremony

The ceremony for admission of new Demies is conducted in the President's lodgings or the College Chapel, immediately before the Restoration Dinner each year. All current Demies observe the ceremony; one by one, each Demy-elect kneels and the President says: 'Tu dabis fidem te statuta et ordinationes huius Collegii quatenus ad te spectant bene ac fideliter observaturum (observaturam) esse?' ''(Will you faithfully and fully observe the statutes and regulations of this college in so far as they apply to you?)'' The Demy-elect then says: 'Do fidem.' ''(I swear)'' The President then admits him or her to his or her Demyship with the words: 'Ego auctoritate Praesidis et sociorum admitto te scholarem in annos insequentes.' ''(By the authority of the President and fellows I admit you as a scholar for the years to come)'' The Demy then rises and shakes hands with the President and each current Demy, each of whom greets the new Demy with the traditional Magdalen words 'I wish you joy'.

Notable demies

Lord Denning Alfred Thompson Denning, Baron Denning, (23 January 1899 – 5 March 1999), was an English barrister and judge. He was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1923 and became a King's Counsel in 1938. Denning became a judge in 1944 when he w ...

Niall Ferguson Sir Niall Campbell Ferguson, ( ; born 18 April 1964)Biography
Niall Ferguson

* Lewis Gielgud *

Chris Huhne Christopher Murray Paul Huhne (born 2 July 1954) is a British energy and climate change consultant, and former journalist, business economist and politician who was the Liberal Democrats (UK), Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Eastleigh ...

* T. E. Lawrence *

Peter Medawar Sir Peter Brian Medawar (; 28 February 1915 – 2 October 1987) was a British biologist and writer, whose works on graft rejection and the discovery of acquired immune tolerance have been fundamental to the medical practice of tissue and organ ...

George Osborne George Gideon Oliver Osborne (born 23 May 1971) is a British retired politician and newspaper editor who served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 and as First Secretary of State from 2015 to 2016 in the Cameron government. A ...

Kenneth Tynan Kenneth Peacock Tynan (2 April 1927 – 26 July 1980) was an English theatre critic and writer. Initially making his mark as a critic at ''The Observer'', he praised John Osborne's ''Look Back in Anger'' (1956) and encouraged the emerging wave ...

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