Registrary

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The Registrary is the senior administrative officer of the University of Cambridge. The term is unique to Cambridge, and uses an archaic spelling. Most universities in the United Kingdom and in North America have administrative offices entitled "Registrar" or "the Registry", although typically with substantially less official responsibility than the Cambridge post. At Cambridge, the Registrary is also Secretary to the University Council. As the head of the University's Unified Administrative Service, the Registrary is responsible for the central management and the non-academic services of the University. The Registrary has control of the University Chest (formerly a physical chest in which the funds of the University were held secure, now a metaphor for the University's bank accounts). The actual chest is still kept in the Registrary's office. It is over 600 years old and is locked with 17 locks.

The office of the Registrary was established in 1506, to compile and maintain the records of the University. The office has been held only 25 persons in continuous succession since that date. Many early Registraries held, or had held, the office of Esquire Bedell. Former Registraries include: Robert Hobys, the first Registrary, who held the office from 1506 to 1543; James Tabor, the fifth Registrary, who held the office for 45 years, from 1600 to 1645; and John Neville Keynes, father of John Maynard Keynes, Registrary from 1910 to 1925. The current Registrary is Dr Timothy Mead, who took office in 1997.