A demyship (also "demy" for the recipient) is a form of scholarship or research affiliation at Magdalen College, Oxford.[1][2]
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 (see below) and "scholar" at other Oxford colleges. Historical notable demies at Magdalen College include individuals such as Oscar Wilde and T. E. Lawrence.
Historically, the term is derived from demi-socii or half-fellows, being formerly entitled to half the allowance awarded to Fellows.[1] 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 is similarly unusual in designating their scholars "postmasters", with a Postmasters Hall in ancient times.[3]