Cambridge Student Pranks

by Jamie Collinson

Cambridge University is famed for the resourcefulness and innovation of its students. However, not all the undergraduates have devoted their talents to academia; instead they spent their time devising ingenious and hilarious pranks to play on the unsuspecting dons. This fascinating volume recalls some of the greatest stunts and practical jokes in the University's history, including: the story of how a group of students fooled the art world with their Post-Impressionist exhibition; the Zanzibar hoax, in which members of the famous Bloomsbury set conned the Mayor of Cambridge (a hoax which sowed the seeds for their later `VIP inspection' of HMS Dreadnought which duped the Royal Navy); and of course the most famous prank of all - the Austin Seven on the roof of Senate House. This enthralling work will amaze and entertain in equal measure - and may well prove a source of inspiration for current students wishing to enliven their undergraduate days.

Jamie Collinson is a graduate of Sidney Sussex College Cambridge. He lives in the town, and owns his own punting business which gives historical punting tours along the River Cam.