Beam Hall (above) is a medieval academic hall that was converted into a dwelling in the sixteenth century, and adjoins Postmasters' Hall on the right. It is Grade II* listed jointly with 3 Merton Street, a pink house to the left (List Entry 1369414). Both buildings belong to Corpus Christi College opposite.

Thomas Willis (1621–1675) 400th Birthday

Professor Zoltán Molnár talks to:

• Dr Erica Charters (for a History of Medicine perspective on Willis)
• Alastair Buchan for more about Thomas Willis's residence and base for scientific discoveries at, Beam Hall)

Thomas Willis's parents and North Hinksey

Thomas Willis's father was Thomas Willis senior, and his mother was Rachel Howell. Rachel originated from North Hinksey, and in about 1630 when Thomas junior was aged about nine, Rachel inherited land in that village and the family returned there. Rachel died of the plague in 1631 and was buried in the chancel of North Hinksey Church on 5 July.

Thomas Willis junior attended Edward Sylvester's School in Oxford, and in 1636 he became a servitor to Dr Thomas Iles, a canon of Christ Church, and he was matriculated by that college on 3 March 1638.

His father married his second wife, a local widow called Mrs Ruffin.

Thomas Willis senior and his second wife Elizabeth died of camp fever during the Oxford epidemic of 1643.

Below is the Inscription on the vault of Thomas Willis senior and his first wife Rachel, which lays emphasis on the fact that they were parents of the famous physician. It was laid some time after their death by their descendant Francis Willis, the son of Browne & Katherine Willis of Whaddon Hall, Buckinghamshire.

Underneath lye Interred
THOMAS WILLIS Gent. and RACHELL his wife
(Parents of ye famous physitian Dr THOMAS WILLIS)
She departed this life & was here buried July 5, 1631
And He (in Defence of ye Royal Cause at ye siege of
Oxford) August 4, 1643.

Also

FRANCIS the son of BROWNE WILLIS of Whaddon Hall
in ye County of Bucks Esqr., by Katherine his wife,
who died at Oxford July 1, 1718 Aged 8 Months & 23 days

In memory of whom
the said BROWNE WILLIS hath caused this Stone
to be laid here & thereon rendered ye Inscription to
his deceased Ancestors

Thomas Willis junior, the famous neurologist, married Mary Fell, the daughter of Dr Fell, the Dean of Christ Church, and Anthony Wood gives the names of their eight children.