College won't move sundial for bequest

OXFORD, England, June 13 (UPI) -- An Oxford college has refused a bequest from a former fellow's will which asked that a historical sundial be moved in return for an undisclosed sum.

In his will, Dr. John Simmons left All Souls College an undisclosed sum from his $1.6 million estate if the school agreed to move the sundial into its former position on the campus, the Daily Telegraph reports.

The sundial was designed in 1658 by Sir Christopher Wren and had been moved next to the Codrington Library during the 1870s, it was reported.

Simmons believed that the sundial's new position conflicted with the symmetry of the school's North Quadrangle and his will reportedly asked that it be "re-erected where it was originally positioned by Sir Christopher Wren; that is to say over the south front of the college chapel."

Calling the conditions of the will onerous, the school has declined the will's bequest and forgone any money it may have been due, the Telegraph reports.