List of alumni of Jesus College, Oxford


is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. Its alumni include politicians, lawyers, bishops, poets, and academics. Some went on to become fellows of the college; 14 students later became principal of the college. It was founded in 1571 by Queen Elizabeth I, at the request of a Welsh clergyman, Hugh Price, who was Treasurer of St David's Cathedral in Pembrokeshire. The college still has strong links with Wales, and about 15% of students are Welsh. There are 340 undergraduates and 190 students carrying out postgraduate studies. Old members of Jesus College are sometimes known as "Jesubites".
From the world of politics, the college's alumni include two Prime Ministers, one Speaker of the House of Commons, a co-founder of Plaid Cymru and a co-founder of the African National Congress. Members of Parliament from the three main political parties in the United Kingdom have attended the college, as have politicians from Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the United States. The list of lawyers include one Lord Chancellor and one Law Lord. The list of clergy includes three Archbishops of Wales. Celticists associated with the college include Sir John Morris-Jones, Sir Thomas Parry-Williams and William John Gruffydd, whilst the list of historians includes the college's first graduate, David Powel, who published the first printed history of Wales in 1584, and the Victorian historian John Richard Green. The list includes a recipient of the Victoria Cross and T. E. Lawrence, better known as "Lawrence of Arabia." Record-breaking quadriplegic solo sailor Hilary Lister was also a student here, whilst from the field of arts and entertainment there are names such as Magnus Magnusson, presenter of Mastermind, the National Poet of Wales Gwyn Thomas and television weather presenters Kirsty McCabe and Siân Lloyd.
Because women were barred from studying at Jesus College for over four centuries, this list of alumni consists almost entirely of men.

Alumni

The sub-headings are given as a general guide and some names might fit under more than one category.
;Abbreviations used in the following tables:
;Degree abbreviations
The subject studied and the degree classification are included, where known. Until the early 19th century, undergraduates read for a Bachelor of Arts degree that included study of Latin and Greek texts, mathematics, geometry, philosophy and theology. Individual subjects at undergraduate level were only introduced later: for example, Mathematics, Natural Science, Jurisprudence, Modern History and Theology. Geography and Modern Languages were introduced in the 20th century. Music had been available as a specialist subject before these changes; medicine was studied as a post-graduate subject.

Politicians and civil servants

studied at Jesus College from 1934 to 1937, and was later the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during two periods. More than 30 other Members of Parliament have been educated at the college, from Sir John Salusbury who was elected as MP for Denbighshire in 1601 to Theresa Villiers who was elected as MP for Chipping Barnet in 2005. Sir Leoline Jenkins, who became a fellow and later the principal of the college, was Secretary of State for the Northern Department from 1680 to 1681 and Secretary of State for the Southern Department from 1681 to 1685. Sir William Williams served as Speaker of the House of Commons from 1680 to 1685 and as Solicitor General for England and Wales from 1687 to 1689. Evan Cotton was MP for Finsbury East before holding the position of President of the Bengal Legislative Council from 1922 to 1925. Several Welsh politicians have been educated at the college, some representing constituencies in Wales and others working outside Parliament, such as D. J. Williams.
Other students at the college have held political offices in other countries. Norman Manley was Chief Minister of Jamaica from 1955 to 1962. P. T. Rajan was Chief Minister of Madras Presidency between April and August 1936. Heather Wilson was the first Old Member of the college to sit in the United States House of Representatives, where she represented New Mexico's 1st congressional district from 1998 to 2009. The Australian politician Neal Blewett was a member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1977 to 1994, a Government Minister from 1983 to 1994 and High Commissioner to the UK from 1994 to 1998. Pixley ka Isaka Seme, who studied for a BCL between 1906 and 1909, was one of the founder members of the African National Congress.
Civil servants and diplomats educated at Jesus College include Sir Edgar Vaughan, Gunasena de Soyza, Sir Frederick Atkinson, Sir Thomas Williams Phillips, Eryl Davies, and Christopher Lintrup Paus.

Judges and lawyers

Several prominent judges and lawyers were educated at the college. Viscount Sankey, who was Lord Chancellor from 1929 to 1935, studied for a BA in History and a BCL between 1885 and 1891. Lord du Parcq was appointed as a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary in 1946. Sir Richard Richards became Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in 1817. The Scottish MP and lawyer Lord Murray was appointed a Senator of the College of Justice in 1979. The solicitor Sir David Lewis was Lord Mayor of the City of London from 2007 to 2008. Other lawyers who studied at the college include James Chadwin QC, who defended the Yorkshire Ripper, and Sir Arthur James, who prosecuted the Great Train Robbers and later became a judge of the Court of Appeal. Academic lawyers include J Duncan M Derrett, Professor of Oriental Laws in the University of London from 1965 to 1982, and Alfred Hazel, Reader in English Law at All Souls College, Oxford.

Clergy

Three Archbishops of Wales have studied at Jesus College. A. G. Edwards, the first archbishop of the Church in Wales after its disestablishment, read Literae Humaniores from 1871 to 1874, and was archbishop from 1920 to 1934. Glyn Simon, who was a student from 1922 to 1926, was Archbishop of Wales from 1968 to 1971. He was succeeded by Gwilym Williams, who was archbishop from 1971 to 1982.
Other bishops to have held office in Wales include Francis Davies, Roy Davies, John Harris, and Morgan Owen, Humphrey Humphreys, Daniel Lewis Lloyd and Humphrey Lloyd, William Lloyd and John Wynne, and John Owen and William Thomas. William Havard was a Welsh rugby international before becoming Bishop of St Asaph, then Bishop of St David's.
Former students of the college to have become bishops outside England and Wales include Rowland Ellis, Richard Meredith, and John Rider. In the twentieth century, bishops to have studied at the college include Kenneth Cragg, John Dickinson, Gordon Roe, Alwyn Williams, and Clifford Woodward.
Several former students have been appointed as cathedral deans; many others became parish priests in Wales and elsewhere in the Anglican church, some also finding time for other activities such as writing poetry or pursuing antiquarian interests. At least five have been Dean of Bangor - Henry Edwards, Henry James, Evan Lewis, John Pryce and James Vincent. Llewelyn Hughes was Dean of Ripon from 1951 to 1967, Alex Wedderspoon was Dean of Guildford from 1987 to 2001, and Wesley Carr was Dean of Westminster Abbey from 1997 to 2006. Edmund Meyrick, who studied at the college between 1656 and 1659, became Treasurer of St David's Cathedral; his bequest founded the college's Meyrick scholarships for students from North Wales, and scholarships from this fund are still awarded. The lexicographer John Davies of Mallwyd, who translated the Bible into Welsh, studied at the college. In the mid-19th century, some Anglican priests were influenced by John Henry Newman and converted to Roman Catholicism, including David Lewis; Edmund Ffoulkes converted too, but later went back to Anglicanism, becoming vicar of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford. John David Jenkins, who was Canon of Pietermaritzburg for a time, was later nicknamed the "Rail men's Apostle" for his ministry to railway workers in Oxford. David Thomas, a priest in Gwynedd, was instrumental in the foundation of a Welsh church in the Welsh settlement in Argentina.
Some students have become ministers in other denominations of Christianity. Methodists include David Charles and Christopher Bassett; Baptists include Gwilym Davies ; Welsh Presbyterians include William David Davies and Gwilym Edwards; Unitarians include John Islan Jones; and Catholics include John Hugh Jones and the Benedictine monk and poet Sylvester Houédard.

Military personnel

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
1572/3DNGBagenal left without taking a degree to support his father, who was marshal of the army in Ireland, and succeeded him in 1590. He was mortally wounded at the Battle of the Yellow Ford in 1598.
19131921BA Jurisprudence Buchanan won the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery in rescuing a severely wounded officer under fire. He was blinded when shot in 1917. On returning to the college in 1919, he read law and became president of the Jesus College Record.
1639DNGCaptain in the Parliamentarian army during the English Civil War, and a Puritan preacher
1632DNGRoyalist who fought during the English Civil War, attacking Cardiff and defending Pembroke Castle
19071910BA Modern History "Lawrence of Arabia"
1736?1739??18th-century soldier who fought for various European countries and whose writings on military theory were studied by George Washington and George S. Patton
19381947BA Mathematics Studies interrupted by military service during the Second World War, during which he won the Military Cross; later became Professor of Mathematics at Amherst College in the United States
16161619BARoyalist who held a commission during the Bishops' War and the English Civil War, before being captured at Hereford and suffering the sequestration of his estate
1790?Matriculated from Wadham College; a naval chaplain who was injured during the Glorious First of June battle and involved in the Spithead mutiny before becoming chaplain of the naval dockyard at Portsmouth
19281931BA PPE First Ceylonese-born officer to serve as Commander of the Ceylon Army
19721975BA Modern HistoryRear admiral and military strategist

Celticists

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19521954Graduate scholarJesus Professor of Celtic
19481953DPhilProfessor of Welsh at University of Wales, Aberystwyth and Director of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies
18991903BA English Professor of Celtic at the University of Wales, Cardiff ; Liberal MP for the University of Wales constituency
19101913BA Theology, BLitt Precentor, canon and treasurer of St David's Cathedral; also professor of theology briefly before becoming professor of Welsh at St David's College, Lampeter
18961899?BLittGaelic scholar and Church of Scotland minister, who became a lecturer in Celtic at the University of Glasgow
1787?Welsh priest and antiquarian, known as Ifor Ceri, who helped to establish eisteddfodau in Wales in the early nineteenth century; graduated from Merton College
19561959??Professor of Welsh at the University of Wales, Bangor
18141818BA Mathematics Welsh clergyman and scholar, who transcribed the Red Book of Hergest for Lady Charlotte Guest
1910?1912??Professor of Welsh at University College, Swansea
19071909?BLittFirst Professor of Welsh at the National University of Ireland, Dublin
19641969DPhilProfessor of Welsh then vice-chancellor and principal, University of Wales, Aberystwyth
18831888BA Mathematics, then research in WelshProfessor of Welsh at University College of North Wales, Bangor, who had been awarded a one-year scholarship for research in Welsh with John Rhys
18721876BA Mathematics Professor of Welsh and principal at St David's College, Lampeter before becoming Bishop of St David's
19091911BLittProfessor of Welsh at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth
18691872BA Literae Humaniores Professor of Celtic at University College, Cardiff
18681875BAWelsh solicitor and Celtic scholar; many of the antiquarian manuscripts he collected are now held by the National Library of Wales
18651869BA Literae Humaniores First Jesus Professor of Celtic
18911895BA Theology Professor of Welsh at St David's College, Lampeter, where he helped to revive the position of Welsh in the college and curriculum
18321838BA Mathematics, MA Priest and Welsh scholar, who edited Y Gododdin and completed Aneurin Owen's edition of Annales Cambriae

Classicists and archeologists

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
18541860BA Natural Science Geologist and archeologist
19081912BA Literae Humaniores Firth Professor of Latin at the University of Sheffield
19071911BA Literae Humaniores Lecturer at Leeds University then a college fellow; career cut short by ill-health
17431747BACleric, with a particular interest in Xenophon's Memorabilia
19201923BA Literae Humaniores Academic at University College, Swansea, St David's College, Lampeter and the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; secretary of the New Wales Union for 25 years; publications included a biography of his father T. E. Ellis
19131915?BLittFirst professor of classics at Swansea University, later principal of University College, Bangor
18951899BA Mathematics Archeologist
19211925BA English Professor of Classics at St David's College, Lampeter
19551963BA Literae Humaniores; DPhilClassical scholar and archaeologist
18791883BA Literae Humaniores Professor of Latin at the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire, Cardiff, chairman of both the National Eisteddfod Association and the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion
1923?1927?BA Literae HumanioresArcheologist at the University of St Andrews, with a particular interest in Cyprus; an officer in the Special Air Service during the Second World War
1910?1912BA Literae Humaniores Australian classicist, and college bursar
19471954BA Literae Humaniores, MA Oriental LanguagesDead Sea Scrolls scholar, and Professor of Christian Origins at Harvard Divinity School

Geographers, geologists and cartographers

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19131922BA Modern History, Diploma in Geography, BLittGeographer, with particular interest in the history of geography, College Bursar and geography tutor, and author of Jesus College 1571–1971
1773Transferred to St Alban Hall; a Welsh surgeon and cartographer, who reprinted his father's celebrated maps of North Wales and later produced his own edition
18911895BA Mathematics Human geographer and educator
19371940BA Geography Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography at Oxford
18821886BA Natural Science Geographer who conducted the definitive version of the Bedford Level experiment in 1901, proving that the earth was a sphere
19341937BA Geography Professor of geography at the University of Liverpool, then principal of the University College of Swansea
18101814BAAnglican priest in Bleadon, Somerset and geologist who wrote extensively of the geology of the west of England

Historians and antiquarians

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19071910BA Modern History One of the college's first two Rhodes Scholars; taught history at Boston University from 1913 to 1957, becoming Huntington Professor of History
19411948BA Modern History Social and economic historian, who was a professor at the University of Kent and the London School of Economics
19571961BA English Science historian
18301834BA Literae Humaniores Barrister and historian, whose first book was written whilst Cooke was an undergraduate
19761978DPhilHistorian of environmental change, Bancroft Prize winner and MacArthur Fellow who completed his doctorate in unusually short time of two years
19091913BA Modern History Welsh historian who become Director of the Institute of Historical Research and Professor of History at the University of London
16901696BA, MA Welsh cleric and antiquarian
18981902BAAssistant librarian of the National Library of Wales, whose main research interest was the life and work of Edward Lhuyd
16401646BA, MA Welsh clergyman and historian
19661969BA Modern History Historian, specialising in modern German history, who was principal defence expert witness for Deborah Lipstadt when she was sued for libel by David Irving
17201724BAWelsh priest and antiquarian, with a particular interest in Caernarfonshire; Chancellor of Bangor Cathedral
19241928BA Modern History Professor of Modern History at the University of Manchester
18561859Pass degreeHistorian, author of A History of the English people
19451948BA Modern History Historian of the Renaissance
1622?DNGGentleman of the bedchamber to Charles I, who wrote an account of the last two years of the king's life entitled Threnodia Carolina
1899?1902BA Modern History The first Professor of History at University College, Swansea
1967?1971BA Modern History and Modern Languages Professor of History at Queen Mary, University of London since 2006
18041808?Cleric in Caernarfonshire and antiquarian
19461949BA Modern History Commonwealth Professor of American History, University College, London
17531757BACleric and antiquarian
19281933BA Modern History, DPhil, with a particular interest in the history of the Channel Islands
19041908BA Modern History Professor of Scottish History and Literature, University of Glasgow and Historiographer Royal
19381947BA Modern History Studies interrupted by war service; Student of Christ Church, Oxford 1957-1987; historian of the Norman Conquest and of his home town of Bridgnorth, Shropshire
19321935BA Modern History Lecturer in Ancient History at University College, London
17691776BA, MA Welsh Anglican clergyman and antiquarian
19931997BA Modern History, MSc Economic and Social History Senior Lecturer in Modern History, Oxford Brookes University
17861790BAWelsh cleric and antiquarian
17061712BA, MA, BD Antiquarian and rector of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire
17251728BAAntiquarian and priest
18871891BA Modern History Captain of Boats whilst at college; a historian, particularly of Henry VIII, and former Assistant Editor of the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
1571?1576BA, MA, BTh and DTh Matriculation college unknown, but moved to Jesus on its foundation and thought to be the first person to graduate from Jesus; published The Historie of Cambria, now called Wales, the first printed history of Wales
18221828BA Literae Humaniores, MA Cleric and author of The Welsh Saints
16071607BAMatriculated 10 days before graduation; a gentleman at the court of King Charles I, whose writings included a Life of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, one of his ancestors
1745BAMatriculated from St Mary Hall before transferring to the college; a cleric and writer, whose 50-volume work A New History of England was later described as one of the vilest Grub Street compilations ever published
19231925BA Modern History Indian historian, who was Professor of History at Presidency College, Calcutta, Jadavpur University and Calcutta University
18521856BA Literae Humaniores Canon of St Asaph and Archdeacon of Montgomery; wrote History of the Diocese of St Asaph, the first such history of a Welsh diocese
17551758BAWelsh cleric and antiquarian, who collected and transcribed manuscripts, and wrote a History of the Island of Anglesey ; elder brother of Richard Thomas, who also attended the college
17711775BAWelsh cleric and antiquarian, who collected and transcribed manuscripts; younger brother of John Thomas, who also attended the college
18931896BAHistorian of early Britain, the Celtic church and medieval Welsh law
16411661? Welsh cleric and antiquarian, from whose collection of manuscripts the Red Book of Hergest was donated to the college after his death
19191923BA Modern History, BLitt Professor of History at the University of Nottingham
16881691BAWelsh cleric who wrote a History of Wales, a revised version of David Powel's history; younger brother of the priest Robert Wynne

Language and literature academics

Philosophers and theologians

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19621965BA Theology Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter since 1991
19191925BA Literae Humaniores, BA Theology Welsh theologian who was also chairman of Plaid Cymru
19151923?BA Literae Humaniores, BA Theology, BDWelsh Presbyterian minister who was the first Welsh non-conformist to obtain a BD from Oxford, and who turned down a university tutorship in theology since it required membership of the Church of England; Professor of the history of religions and the philosophy of religion at the United Theological College Aberystwyth
19071909?BSc in FolkloreAnthropologist and writer who made a particular study of Tibetan Buddhism
19071912BA Theology 1910, BA Oriental Languages Biblical scholar, who was Professor of Old Testament Studies at the University of London
19331935BLittWelsh philosopher and theologian, who was Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion at the University of London
16641668BA, MA, BD, DD Treasurer of Chichester Cathedral, who was elected Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford shortly before his death in 1691
19441949BA Theology Welsh Presbyterian minister, who was Professor of Christian Doctrine at King's College London
18381845BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BD Theologian and antiquarian, who wrote An Introduction to the Study of Dogmatic Theology and Institutes of Canon Law but who was forced to resign his fellowship after an allegation of immorality
19491951BLittFulbright Scholar from the United States; William Griffin Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Wesleyan University
15811593BA, MA, BCLAristotelian philosopher
18851889BA Theology Professor of Pastoral Theology at King's College, London
1927?1930DPhilTheologian who was Professor of Hebrew and Semitic Languages, Glasgow at the University of Glasgow

Mathematics, medicine and science

Mathematicians to have studied at Jesus College include Nigel Hitchin, the Canadian Jonathan Borwein and Jim Mauldon. David E. Evans is Professor of Mathematics at Cardiff University, and H. W. Lloyd Tanner was Professor of Mathematics and Astronomy at one of its predecessor institutions, the University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire. Several noted individuals from biology, botany and zoology were educated at the college, including the Welsh clergyman Hugh Davies, Edward Bagnall Poulton and James Brontë Gatenby. Frank Greenaway was Keeper of the Department of Chemistry at the Science Museum in London for over 20 years, and the physicist Chris Rapley was appointed director of the museum in 2007. Other physicists who are Old Members of the college include Michael Woolfson and Edward Hinds. Edwin Stevens, who studied Natural Science at the college, went on to design the world's first wearable hearing aid, and Sir Graham Sutton became director-general of the Meteorological Office.

Other academics

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
1969?1971BLittAuthor and academic on leadership studies; Professor of Leadership Studies at the University of Surrey ; visiting professor at the University of Exeter ; Honorary Professor of Leadership at the China Executive Leadership Academy in Pudong since 2006
16211624BA, MA Named as one of the founding scholars in the college's charter ; Fellow
19111914BA Jurisprudence, BCL Canadian Rhodes scholar, who later became a member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia and a county court judge; also chairman of the council of Victoria College, British Columbia
19371940DPhilPermanent Under-Secretary of the Welsh Office, Principal of University of Wales, Aberystwyth
1875?1878BAPrincipal of Carmarthen Presbyterian College
1603BAAcademic and translator who matriculated from Christ Church at the age of eight, graduated at the age of twelve and became a Fellow of All Souls at seventeen; eldest son of Alberico Gentili, the Italian jurist and Regius Professor of Civil Law
18331839BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BD Vicar in parishes in Cardiganshire, and also served as Vice-Principal
17271733BA, MAPrebend of Westminster Abbey; died after being scratched by his cat
17701776BA, MA, BD, DD Principal
17901797BA, MA, BD, DD Principal for 40 years
1903?1907BA Theology Principal of Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, Principal of St Aidan's Theological College, Birkenhead
1908?1910?BAProfessor of Political Economy at the University of Hong Kong, Director of Studies for the Institute of Bankers, and an expert in Far Eastern international affairs
1895?1898?BLittPrincipal of Serampore College, India
19231926BA Modern History Colonial civil servant who photographed life in Nigeria in the 1930s, later becoming an anthropologist and Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge
18821886BA Divinity, BD, DD Welsh clergyman and principal of St David's College, Lampeter
18271832BALibrarian of Chetham's Library, Manchester
16941700BA, MA, BD, DD Principal
19601965BA PPE, BPhil Development economist; James S. Coleman Professor of International Development Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles since 1991
18181827BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BCL, DCL First Principal of St David's College, Lampeter, also Dean of St David's
19301934BA English Taught at the University of Delhi before spending 30 years in the Department of Education at Oxford, most of them as Reader in Education
16071611BA, MA Elected a Fellow of All Souls in 1613; Principal of Jesus College on three occasions
18611865BA Literae Humaniores Principal of Carmarthen Training College, headmaster of Godolphin School ; clergyman and antiquarian
17181733BA, MA, BD, DD Bodley's Librarian
17071711BA, MA, BD, DD Chancellor of St David's
17011708BA, MA Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum
17541760BA, MA, BD Bodley's Librarian for 45 years
1586?1591BA, MA Prebend of Westminster Abbey and principal of Hart Hall, Oxford
1957?1962?BA Mathematics, BPhil EconomicsProfessor of Economics at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of King's College, Cambridge
19581965BA Modern History, DPhil Social StudiesEconomist and biographer of John Maynard Keynes
19201922BA Modern History Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Department of the Department of Education, President of University College of Wales, Aberystwyth
19301932BA Theology Principal of St David's College, Lampeter
18601865BA Literae Humaniores Welsh cleric, poet and scholar, who was the college's Welsh reader, senior tutor and vice-principal
1898?1903BA Literae Humaniores, BA Theology Welsh Calvinistic Methodist minister and professor at the United Theological College Aberystwyth
19571960BA Theology Lecturer, then principal of the United Theological College Aberystwyth, and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wales
1899?1903BA Literae Humaniores Professor of political economy of the Presidency College, Calcutta, who was also a journalist for The Statesman and The Times

Educators

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19421948BA English Headmaster of Leeds Grammar School
18301834BA Mathematics Headmaster of Ruthin School, succeeding Charles Williams
16481650BATranslator and schoolmaster, and follower of the Christian mystic John Pordage
1851BA Literae Humaniores, BA Mathematics, BD and DD Matriculated from Pembroke College; Anglican priest and headmaster of Bristol Grammar School
18761880BA Literae Humaniores, MA Headmaster, clergyman and writer on biblical topics
1873BAMatriculated at New College before transferring to Jesus with a scholarship; a clergyman, headmaster and entomologist who was President of the Incorporated Association of Head Masters and President of the Entomological Society of London
18401844BA Mathematics Headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School and Sherborne School
19481951BA Modern History English language teacher and founder of International House World Organisation
1863Transferred to Lincoln College when he won a scholarship in 1864; later headmaster of Rugby School and President of St John's College, Oxford
19241928BA Literae Humaniores Son of Henry James, Dean of Bangor; High Master of St Paul's School and Headmaster of Harrow School
1907?1910BA Modern History Anglican priest and headmaster of Sir William Turner's School, Coatham
18621867BA Literae Humaniores , MA Headmaster of Dolgelley Grammar School, Friars School, Bangor and Christ College, Brecon; later Bishop of Bangor
17461752BA, MA Welsh priest and translator, who was headmaster of the grammar school in Warrington
18731877BA Literae Humaniores Headmaster in Oswestry who became the first Chief Inspector of the Central Welsh Board for Intermediate Education
1907?1911?Headmaster of Ruthin School
1649Graduated from Christ Church, Oxford; Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford and writer of educational books
18911895BA Literae HumanioresDirector of Education for Kent for 20 years and writer on educational matters
18241827BAWelsh cleric who helped to found schools in Caernarfon; the father of Llewellyn Thomas
17351739BAWelsh cleric and schoolteacher, who was Master of the Friars School, Bangor; grandfather of James Vincent, who also attended the college
18231827BA Literae Humaniores Headmaster of Ruthin School, Principal
17771783BA, MACleric in north Wales and master of the Free school in Llanrwst
17851790Cleric in north Wales whose Sunday school in Llanrug was the first in the county; graduated from Christ Church in 1790
1892?1896?BAHeadmaster of Clynnog Fawr School, which moved to become Clwyd College, Rhyl; a Presbyterian minister and writer

Artists and writers

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19982001?BA Modern HistoryWon the 2007 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize for his first novel, Darkside
18241828BAWelsh poet and writer, using the bardic name Alun
19751978DPhilNovelist and screenwriter; left college accommodation and started work in 1978 when grant ran out, and has said "I never really left Jesus – I sort of drifted away."
19431950BA English Literature Journalist and critic, author of Lenin; whilst at college, produced a film commissioned by the Jesus College Record as a gesture of thanks to an American university that had sent a food parcel
18331840BA Literae Humaniores, MA Clergyman and contributor to Blackwood's Magazine
1641DNGMoved to St John's College, Cambridge during the English Civil War; a translator of works in French, Spanish and Latin who also wrote an account of the Civil War
17231732BA, MA, BM Physician and satirist
1794DNGWelsh clergyman, poet and transcriber of manuscripts, who was at the college from March to June 1794
18101817BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BD Welsh poet, known as Daniel Ddu o Geredigion
17891792BAWrote four works about the topography of Wales
15891599MA, BCL Matriculated and BA from New Inn Hall, Oxford before moving to Jesus College; author of The picture of a perfit common wealth, describing as well the offices of princes and inferior magistrates over their subjects, as also the duties of subjects towards their governors
19992002BA Philosophy and Theology Singer and poet, Welsh Children's Bard
19411949?Studies interrupted by war service; a Benedictine monk and poet
16101613BAWriter
19291933BA Literae Humaniores Author of 16 novels and two books for children; winner of the Newdigate Prize for English verse
17941800BA, MA Welsh poet, who won prizes at the Denbigh Eisteddfodau of 1819 and 1828
19281931BLittWelsh novelist, whose thesis was entitled "The London Magazine from 1820 to 1829"
19051908BA Theology , DLitt Welsh poet and theologian; Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales
19591965BA Geography, DPhilAuthor of the historical-fiction series Angel Mountain Saga, whose DPhil was on the Ice Age in Wales
1759DNGLeft in 1761 to become a painter on the death of his uncle, at whose instigation he was studying for ordination
19921995BA Modern History and English Author and journalist
16981702BAPoet, whose collections of poetry also included works by Alexander Pope and John Dyer
17511757BA, MA Satirical poet, whose works led to his imprisonment and hampered his career in the church
19331939BA Modern History, BLittWelsh poet, short story writer and editor of The Anglo-Welsh Review, whose BLitt thesis was entitled "The Economic Policy of the Board of Trade 1696–1714"
19561959BA English Indian writer, poet and columnist
17041708BAClergyman and poet and author of Myfyrdodau bucheddol ar y pedwar peth diweddaf
18511856BA Literae Humaniores Anglo-Welsh poet, who was the first student to obtain 1st in Classics in both Mods and Finals for 30 years
19651967BA EnglishSouth African poet, who returned to the college to study for a BPhil but died in 1970 before completing the course
1742DNGWelsh poet who was hardly resident at the college`
19791982?BA EnglishBritish science fiction writer
15791583MA, BTh Initially a member of Balliol College; a Welsh priest and writer
16501657BA, MA Welsh clergyman and satirist
19901997?BA, DPhil Prize-winning Welsh novelist and lecturer at Bangor University
15971602BAWelsh poet and clergyman, known as Yr Hen Ficer, and author of Canwyll y Cymry
18891892BA Literae Humaniores Welsh priest and writer
1774DNGWelsh poet and schoolmaster, who only spent one term at the college
17081711BACanon of St Asaph's Cathedral, who was also a writer and satirist
17921796BAWelsh cleric and writer
16901696BA, MA, BD, DD Welsh priest and writer
19771980?BA Old English Language and LiteratureAmerican author of the Horrid Henry series of books
1794DDWelsh priest and writer; a graduate of the University of Cambridge who was incorporated at Oxford in order to take his DD after being involved in controversy at Cambridge
19591966DPhilWelsh poet, appointed National Poet of Wales in 2006
17471750?BAWelsh writer; editor and proprietor of the St James's Chronicle in London, and editor of Robert Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary
19711974?BA GeographyCrime writer
1641?DNGWelsh poet and doctor; college records unclear on entry date
16381646/7BA, graduate scholar until 1646/1647Welsh clergyman, poet and writer
15921605BA , MA , BCL , DCLWelsh writer and colonial investor
17771781BAWelsh clergyman and poet
17401744BAWelsh clergyman and writer
18321835BA Literae Humaniores Welsh writer and clergyman
16721676BAWelsh writer whose works include A Pindaric Elegy on the famous Physician Dr. Willis
17271735BA, MA Welsh cleric and poet
16921695?BA, possibly MA too, possibly in LawWelsh clergyman and writer, particularly remembered for Gweledigaetheu y Bardd Cwsc
19561958BA PPE American Rhodes Scholar, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing

Broadcasters and entertainers

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
1930?1933??West End, film and TV actor, whose roles included "The Voice" in the children's TV series Garry Halliday
19731976MA EnglishChildren's television producer and advocate
19221926BA Literae Humaniores Radio producer and bookseller
19751979B LittScottish author
19461949BA Modern History Quiz question-setter, who was "Mycroft" on BBC Radio 4's Brain of Britain
1971DNGArgentinian actor who studied for a DPhil in Economics, but his scholarship finished before his thesis was complete
1979?DNGITV national weather forecaster who left after 1 year of a BLitt in Celtic Studies
19481951BA English Television presenter and writer
1985?1980s BA Modern HistoryComedian and actor
1963?1966?BAPolitical Editor of Independent Television News and BBC Wales ; the Electoral Commission's Commissioner for Wales
19221926BA Theology Chancellor of Llandaff Cathedral and one of the panellists on the BBC show "The Brains Trust"
1996?1999?postgraduate work on climate changeBBC national weather forecaster on radio and television
19721975BA EnglishTelevision and theatre producer, and Chief Executive of the Really Useful Group
19761980BA Modern LanguagesJournalist and broadcaster; the college's first female honorary fellow
1865?DNGActor, known for his swashbuckling roles, who was murdered outside the Adelphi Theatre in 1897 by an unstable and struggling actor
20082011BA HistoryJournalist; Deputy Editor of Buzzfeed
19501953BA Jurisprudence Actor, member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Tony Award winner in 1976

Musicians

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
18251830BAWelsh cleric and hymn-tune composer, most notably of Rhosymedre
1725?1731BA, MA Welsh priest, scholar and musician
19051909?BA Music, BMusCollege organ exhibitioner; Professor of Pianoforte at the Royal College of Music
18761881BABaritone singer who needed several attempts to pass his exams
1960?DNGSinger with Manfred Mann
19571960BA Music Organ scholar at college; organist and master of the choristers at Norwich Cathedral ; Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists
19291934BA Literae Humaniores, Diploma in Education, DMus English composer who studied with Herbert Howells
1946?1949?BA ChemistryPianist specialising in the work of John Ireland
19401949BA MusicA musicologist ; editor of Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and Professor of Music at Columbia University ; studied languages then music after his war service
20122013MSt Music PerformanceA pianist and acclaimed writer; chief editor of The Pianist magazine; studied at Oxford then research on Russian Piano School in London; Professor of Piano at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Sports people

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
19511954BA Natural Science British rally driver who was given a red MG sports car by his father for winning a scholarship to the college
19571959BA Mathematics Indian athlete who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics
19481952BA Chemistry Welsh rugby union international, winning three caps ; rugby "Blue" in 1951
19051908BA Mathematics Welsh rugby union international, winning one cap ; rugby "Blue" three times
1906?1909BA Theology Welsh rugby union international, winning seven caps ; did not win a "Blue"
18851888?Welsh rugby union international, winning five caps ; rugby "Blue" twice ; later became a solicitor and was knighted for public services to Wales
18871890??Welsh rugby union international, winning three caps ; rugby "Blue" in 1890
18761883BA Theology, MA Welsh rugby union international, winning two caps ; did not win a "Blue"
18801884BA, MA English rugby union international, winning four caps ; the college's first rugby "Blue", and its only English rugby international
19191921BA FrenchWelsh rugby union international, winning two caps ; rugby "Blue" in 1919, and part of the college team that won the inter-college cup in 1920
19191921BA Modern HistoryCollege chaplain who won his 'Blue' for rugby and represented Wales against New Zealand Services in 1919 before becoming Bishop of St Asaph and Bishop of St David's
19301933BA Literae HumanioresWelsh rugby union international, winning fourteen caps and one for the British and Irish Lions, who was the first Welsh full-back to score a try in an international match; rugby "Blue" three times ; also played cricket for Glamorgan
19301933BA Modern History Welsh rugby union international, winning one cap ; rugby "Blue" twice
18711875BA Mathematics Played first-class cricket for Oxford University CC; cricket "Blue" in 1874
18721879BA, MA Welsh rugby union international, winning five caps ; a triple "Blue"
19911996BA BiochemistryQuadriplegic solo sailor – the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the English Channel
19191923BA Literae Humaniores, BA Jurisprudence President of the Jesus College Jesus College Record and Captain of Boats whilst at college; rowing coach and secretary of the Amateur Rowing Association
18911894BA Modern History Welsh rugby union international, winning three caps ; rugby "Blue" three times and the first Welshman to captain Oxford University RFC
1877DNGWelsh rugby union international, winning one cap in the first international match involving Wales ; did not win a "Blue"
18791883BA Theology Played first-class cricket for Oxford University CC; cricket "Blue" three times
18981901?Welsh rugby union international, winning five caps ; rugby "Blue" three times
20042006Diploma in Legal Studies; MSc Management StudiesCanadian rower who was part of the winning crew for the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in 2005 and 2006

Other people in public life

NameMGDegreeNotesRef
1947DNGZoo owner and gambler, who boasted of never attending a lecture whilst at Oxford, and who missed his final examinations to go to the races at Ascot
19581961BA Mathematics Chief Executive of Commercial Union and Chairman of the National House Building Council since 2002
19511954BA PPE Chief Executive of Cambridge University Press and Chairman of the Royal Shakespeare Company
19631966BA Modern HistoryChair of Welsh National Opera, formerly Controller of BBC Wales and Chair of the Arts Council of Wales
200520042008BA Economics and ManagementBusinessman who won the "02 X Young Entrepreneur of the Year" award in 2009
19861989BA EnglishWriter and wife of former Conservative Party leader William Hague
19231927BA Modern History Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership
19621965BA PPE Chairman and Chief Executive of Gateway and Chairman of Charles Wells
1692DNGA dandy and social celebrity who was allegedly dismissed from the university for an "intrigue" with a local woman, although college records have no evidence that he was sent down
19761978?MLittMedia entrepreneur and Chairman of YouGov
18541858BA Literae Humaniores Clerk to the Clothworkers' Company ; prime mover in setting up the City and Guilds of London Institute and chairman of the London Polytechnic Council
19681971BA JurisprudenceChief Constable of Northumbria Police
1688DNGIndustrialist and philanthropist

Fictional students of Jesus College

CharacterAuthorNotesRef
A character in the play Beyond Reasonable Doubt
A principal character in Restless, who in Chapter 4 calls at her college in Turl Street; the novel is set in 1976, when Jesus College was the only Turl Street college admitting women; Boyd has also said "When, in my fiction, I have had to place a character at an Oxford college it has always been Jesus – sometimes disguised sometimes overtly identified "
A character in the novel Any Human Heart, who studies History at Jesus College in the 1920s and is awarded a third-class degree
A Fellow of Brasenose in the novel The Jewel That Was Ours, who reveals that he was an undergraduate at Jesus, which he describes as "one of the less fashionable colleges"
and othersPhillips is mentioned in The Expedition of Humphry Clinker, an epistolary novel, as the recipient of letters from another Jesus College man, Jery Melford. There is no evidence that Phillips or Melford were based on real people, but other Jesus College men in Melford's letters may be based on individuals attending Jesus College in the 1720s and 1730s.
A detective in various novels by Williams; his Jesus College tie is recognised by a Welsh parson in Divided Treasure