The Radcliffe Camera is one of the architectural gems of the  City of Oxford, and is much visited by people from all over the world.

Below: The Radcliffe Camera - phhoto by Roger Davies and reproduced by kind permission

The circular dome and "drum" shape of the Radcliffe Camera make it one of the most distinctive buildings in Oxford.  The name "camera" simply means "room" and it was built in 1737-1749 with money given to the University by a Dr John Radcliffe. It was built specifically to house a new library.  The architect was James Gibbs, who also built St. Martins in the Fields Church in Trafalgar Square London.  The Camera held numerous books for many years but is now used principally as the main Reading Room of the Bodleian Library to which it is attached.