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:
- M – Year of matriculation at Jesus College
- G – Year of graduation / conclusion of study at Jesus College
- DNG – Did not graduate: left the college without taking a degree
- ? – Year unknown; an approximate year is used for table-sorting purposes.
- after name – later became a fellow or principal of Jesus College, and included on the list of principals and fellows
- after name – later became an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, and included on the list of Honorary Fellows
- Undergraduate degree: BA – Bachelor of Arts
- Postgraduate degrees:
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
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1572/3 | DNG | — | Bagenal 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. | ||
1913 | 1921 | BA 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. | ||
1639 | DNG | — | Captain in the Parliamentarian army during the English Civil War, and a Puritan preacher | ||
1632 | DNG | — | Royalist who fought during the English Civil War, attacking Cardiff and defending Pembroke Castle | ||
1907 | 1910 | BA Modern History | "Lawrence of Arabia" | ||
? | ? | ? | 18th-century soldier who fought for various European countries and whose writings on military theory were studied by George Washington and George S. Patton | ||
1938 | 1947 | BA 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 | ||
1616 | 1619 | BA | Royalist 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 | ||
1928 | 1931 | BA PPE | First Ceylonese-born officer to serve as Commander of the Ceylon Army | ||
1972 | 1975 | BA Modern History | Rear admiral and military strategist |
Celticists
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1952 | 1954 | Graduate scholar | Jesus Professor of Celtic | ||
1948 | 1953 | DPhil | Professor of Welsh at University of Wales, Aberystwyth and Director of the Centre for Advanced Welsh and Celtic Studies | ||
1899 | 1903 | BA English | Professor of Celtic at the University of Wales, Cardiff ; Liberal MP for the University of Wales constituency | ||
1910 | 1913 | BA 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 | ||
1896 | ? | BLitt | Gaelic scholar and Church of Scotland minister, who became a lecturer in Celtic at the University of Glasgow | ||
? | — | — | Welsh priest and antiquarian, known as Ifor Ceri, who helped to establish eisteddfodau in Wales in the early nineteenth century; graduated from Merton College | ||
1956 | ? | ? | Professor of Welsh at the University of Wales, Bangor | ||
1814 | 1818 | BA Mathematics | Welsh clergyman and scholar, who transcribed the Red Book of Hergest for Lady Charlotte Guest | ||
? | ? | ? | Professor of Welsh at University College, Swansea | ||
1907 | ? | BLitt | First Professor of Welsh at the National University of Ireland, Dublin | ||
1964 | 1969 | DPhil | Professor of Welsh then vice-chancellor and principal, University of Wales, Aberystwyth | ||
1883 | 1888 | BA Mathematics, then research in Welsh | Professor of Welsh at University College of North Wales, Bangor, who had been awarded a one-year scholarship for research in Welsh with John Rhys | ||
1872 | 1876 | BA Mathematics | Professor of Welsh and principal at St David's College, Lampeter before becoming Bishop of St David's | ||
1909 | 1911 | BLitt | Professor of Welsh at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth | ||
1869 | 1872 | BA Literae Humaniores | Professor of Celtic at University College, Cardiff | ||
1868 | 1875 | BA | Welsh solicitor and Celtic scholar; many of the antiquarian manuscripts he collected are now held by the National Library of Wales | ||
1865 | 1869 | BA Literae Humaniores | First Jesus Professor of Celtic | ||
1891 | 1895 | BA Theology | Professor of Welsh at St David's College, Lampeter, where he helped to revive the position of Welsh in the college and curriculum | ||
1832 | 1838 | BA Mathematics, MA | Priest and Welsh scholar, who edited Y Gododdin and completed Aneurin Owen's edition of Annales Cambriae |
Classicists and archeologists
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1854 | 1860 | BA Natural Science | Geologist and archeologist | ||
1908 | 1912 | BA Literae Humaniores | Firth Professor of Latin at the University of Sheffield | ||
1907 | 1911 | BA Literae Humaniores | Lecturer at Leeds University then a college fellow; career cut short by ill-health | ||
1743 | 1747 | BA | Cleric, with a particular interest in Xenophon's Memorabilia | ||
1920 | 1923 | BA 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 | ||
1913 | ? | BLitt | First professor of classics at Swansea University, later principal of University College, Bangor | ||
1895 | 1899 | BA Mathematics | Archeologist | ||
1921 | 1925 | BA English | Professor of Classics at St David's College, Lampeter | ||
1955 | 1963 | BA Literae Humaniores; DPhil | Classical scholar and archaeologist | ||
1879 | 1883 | BA 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 | ||
? | ? | BA Literae Humaniores | Archeologist at the University of St Andrews, with a particular interest in Cyprus; an officer in the Special Air Service during the Second World War | ||
? | 1912 | BA Literae Humaniores | Australian classicist, and college bursar | ||
1947 | 1954 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA Oriental Languages | Dead Sea Scrolls scholar, and Professor of Christian Origins at Harvard Divinity School |
Geographers, geologists and cartographers
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1913 | 1922 | BA Modern History, Diploma in Geography, BLitt | Geographer, with particular interest in the history of geography, College Bursar and geography tutor, and author of Jesus College 1571–1971 | ||
1773 | — | — | Transferred 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 | ||
1891 | 1895 | BA Mathematics | Human geographer and educator | ||
1937 | 1940 | BA Geography | Halford Mackinder Professor of Geography at Oxford | ||
1882 | 1886 | BA Natural Science | Geographer who conducted the definitive version of the Bedford Level experiment in 1901, proving that the earth was a sphere | ||
1934 | 1937 | BA Geography | Professor of geography at the University of Liverpool, then principal of the University College of Swansea | ||
1810 | 1814 | BA | Anglican priest in Bleadon, Somerset and geologist who wrote extensively of the geology of the west of England |
Historians and antiquarians
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1907 | 1910 | BA 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 | ||
1941 | 1948 | BA Modern History | Social and economic historian, who was a professor at the University of Kent and the London School of Economics | ||
1957 | 1961 | BA English | Science historian | ||
1830 | 1834 | BA Literae Humaniores | Barrister and historian, whose first book was written whilst Cooke was an undergraduate | ||
1976 | 1978 | DPhil | Historian of environmental change, Bancroft Prize winner and MacArthur Fellow who completed his doctorate in unusually short time of two years | ||
1909 | 1913 | BA Modern History | Welsh historian who become Director of the Institute of Historical Research and Professor of History at the University of London | ||
1690 | 1696 | BA, MA | Welsh cleric and antiquarian | ||
1898 | 1902 | BA | Assistant librarian of the National Library of Wales, whose main research interest was the life and work of Edward Lhuyd | ||
1640 | 1646 | BA, MA | Welsh clergyman and historian | ||
1966 | 1969 | BA 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 | ||
1720 | 1724 | BA | Welsh priest and antiquarian, with a particular interest in Caernarfonshire; Chancellor of Bangor Cathedral | ||
1924 | 1928 | BA Modern History | Professor of Modern History at the University of Manchester | ||
1856 | 1859 | Pass degree | Historian, author of A History of the English people | ||
1945 | 1948 | BA Modern History | Historian of the Renaissance | ||
? | DNG | — | Gentleman of the bedchamber to Charles I, who wrote an account of the last two years of the king's life entitled Threnodia Carolina | ||
? | 1902 | BA Modern History | The first Professor of History at University College, Swansea | ||
? | 1971 | BA Modern History and Modern Languages | Professor of History at Queen Mary, University of London since 2006 | ||
1804 | 1808 | ? | Cleric in Caernarfonshire and antiquarian | ||
1946 | 1949 | BA Modern History | Commonwealth Professor of American History, University College, London | ||
1753 | 1757 | BA | Cleric and antiquarian | ||
1928 | 1933 | BA Modern History, DPhil, with a particular interest in the history of the Channel Islands | |||
1904 | 1908 | BA Modern History | Professor of Scottish History and Literature, University of Glasgow and Historiographer Royal | ||
1938 | 1947 | BA 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 | ||
1932 | 1935 | BA Modern History | Lecturer in Ancient History at University College, London | ||
1769 | 1776 | BA, MA | Welsh Anglican clergyman and antiquarian | ||
1993 | 1997 | BA Modern History, MSc Economic and Social History | Senior Lecturer in Modern History, Oxford Brookes University | ||
1786 | 1790 | BA | Welsh cleric and antiquarian | ||
1706 | 1712 | BA, MA, BD | Antiquarian and rector of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire | ||
1725 | 1728 | BA | Antiquarian and priest | ||
1887 | 1891 | BA 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 | ||
? | 1576 | BA, 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 | ||
1822 | 1828 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA | Cleric and author of The Welsh Saints | ||
1607 | 1607 | BA | Matriculated 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 | ||
— | 1745 | BA | Matriculated 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 | ||
1923 | 1925 | BA Modern History | Indian historian, who was Professor of History at Presidency College, Calcutta, Jadavpur University and Calcutta University | ||
1852 | 1856 | BA 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 | ||
1755 | 1758 | BA | Welsh 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 | ||
1771 | 1775 | BA | Welsh cleric and antiquarian, who collected and transcribed manuscripts; younger brother of John Thomas, who also attended the college | ||
1893 | 1896 | BA | Historian of early Britain, the Celtic church and medieval Welsh law | ||
1641 | 1661 | ? | Welsh cleric and antiquarian, from whose collection of manuscripts the Red Book of Hergest was donated to the college after his death | ||
1919 | 1923 | BA Modern History, BLitt | Professor of History at the University of Nottingham | ||
1688 | 1691 | BA | Welsh 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
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1962 | 1965 | BA Theology | Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Wales, Lampeter since 1991 | ||
1919 | 1925 | BA Literae Humaniores, BA Theology | Welsh theologian who was also chairman of Plaid Cymru | ||
1915 | ? | BA Literae Humaniores, BA Theology, BD | Welsh 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 | ||
1907 | ? | BSc in Folklore | Anthropologist and writer who made a particular study of Tibetan Buddhism | ||
1907 | 1912 | BA Theology 1910, BA Oriental Languages | Biblical scholar, who was Professor of Old Testament Studies at the University of London | ||
1933 | 1935 | BLitt | Welsh philosopher and theologian, who was Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion at the University of London | ||
1664 | 1668 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Treasurer of Chichester Cathedral, who was elected Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity at Oxford shortly before his death in 1691 | ||
1944 | 1949 | BA Theology | Welsh Presbyterian minister, who was Professor of Christian Doctrine at King's College London | ||
1838 | 1845 | BA 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 | ||
1949 | 1951 | BLitt | Fulbright Scholar from the United States; William Griffin Professor of Philosophy and Humanities at Wesleyan University | ||
1581 | 1593 | BA, MA, BCL | Aristotelian philosopher | ||
1885 | 1889 | BA Theology | Professor of Pastoral Theology at King's College, London | ||
? | 1930 | DPhil | Theologian 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
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
? | 1971 | BLitt | Author 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 | ||
1621 | 1624 | BA, MA | Named as one of the founding scholars in the college's charter ; Fellow | ||
1911 | 1914 | BA 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 | ||
1937 | 1940 | DPhil | Permanent Under-Secretary of the Welsh Office, Principal of University of Wales, Aberystwyth | ||
? | 1878 | BA | Principal of Carmarthen Presbyterian College | ||
— | 1603 | BA | Academic 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 | ||
1833 | 1839 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BD | Vicar in parishes in Cardiganshire, and also served as Vice-Principal | ||
1727 | 1733 | BA, MA | Prebend of Westminster Abbey; died after being scratched by his cat | ||
1770 | 1776 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Principal | ||
1790 | 1797 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Principal for 40 years | ||
? | 1907 | BA Theology | Principal of Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone, Principal of St Aidan's Theological College, Birkenhead | ||
? | ? | BA | Professor 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 | ||
? | ? | BLitt | Principal of Serampore College, India | ||
1923 | 1926 | BA Modern History | Colonial civil servant who photographed life in Nigeria in the 1930s, later becoming an anthropologist and Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge | ||
1882 | 1886 | BA Divinity, BD, DD | Welsh clergyman and principal of St David's College, Lampeter | ||
1827 | 1832 | BA | Librarian of Chetham's Library, Manchester | ||
1694 | 1700 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Principal | ||
1960 | 1965 | BA PPE, BPhil | Development economist; James S. Coleman Professor of International Development Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles since 1991 | ||
1818 | 1827 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BCL, DCL | First Principal of St David's College, Lampeter, also Dean of St David's | ||
1930 | 1934 | BA 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 | ||
1607 | 1611 | BA, MA | Elected a Fellow of All Souls in 1613; Principal of Jesus College on three occasions | ||
1861 | 1865 | BA Literae Humaniores | Principal of Carmarthen Training College, headmaster of Godolphin School ; clergyman and antiquarian | ||
1718 | 1733 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Bodley's Librarian | ||
1707 | 1711 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Chancellor of St David's | ||
1701 | 1708 | BA, MA | Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum | ||
1754 | 1760 | BA, MA, BD | Bodley's Librarian for 45 years | ||
? | 1591 | BA, MA | Prebend of Westminster Abbey and principal of Hart Hall, Oxford | ||
? | ? | BA Mathematics, BPhil Economics | Professor of Economics at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of King's College, Cambridge | ||
1958 | 1965 | BA Modern History, DPhil Social Studies | Economist and biographer of John Maynard Keynes | ||
1920 | 1922 | BA Modern History | Permanent Secretary to the Welsh Department of the Department of Education, President of University College of Wales, Aberystwyth | ||
1930 | 1932 | BA Theology | Principal of St David's College, Lampeter | ||
1860 | 1865 | BA Literae Humaniores | Welsh cleric, poet and scholar, who was the college's Welsh reader, senior tutor and vice-principal | ||
? | 1903 | BA Literae Humaniores, BA Theology | Welsh Calvinistic Methodist minister and professor at the United Theological College Aberystwyth | ||
1957 | 1960 | BA Theology | Lecturer, then principal of the United Theological College Aberystwyth, and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Wales | ||
? | 1903 | BA Literae Humaniores | Professor of political economy of the Presidency College, Calcutta, who was also a journalist for The Statesman and The Times |
Educators
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1942 | 1948 | BA English | Headmaster of Leeds Grammar School | ||
1830 | 1834 | BA Mathematics | Headmaster of Ruthin School, succeeding Charles Williams | ||
1648 | 1650 | BA | Translator and schoolmaster, and follower of the Christian mystic John Pordage | ||
— | 1851 | BA Literae Humaniores, BA Mathematics, BD and DD | Matriculated from Pembroke College; Anglican priest and headmaster of Bristol Grammar School | ||
1876 | 1880 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA | Headmaster, clergyman and writer on biblical topics | ||
— | 1873 | BA | Matriculated 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 | ||
1840 | 1844 | BA Mathematics | Headmaster of Cowbridge Grammar School and Sherborne School | ||
1948 | 1951 | BA Modern History | English language teacher and founder of International House World Organisation | ||
1863 | — | — | Transferred to Lincoln College when he won a scholarship in 1864; later headmaster of Rugby School and President of St John's College, Oxford | ||
1924 | 1928 | BA Literae Humaniores | Son of Henry James, Dean of Bangor; High Master of St Paul's School and Headmaster of Harrow School | ||
? | 1910 | BA Modern History | Anglican priest and headmaster of Sir William Turner's School, Coatham | ||
1862 | 1867 | BA Literae Humaniores , MA | Headmaster of Dolgelley Grammar School, Friars School, Bangor and Christ College, Brecon; later Bishop of Bangor | ||
1746 | 1752 | BA, MA | Welsh priest and translator, who was headmaster of the grammar school in Warrington | ||
1873 | 1877 | BA Literae Humaniores | Headmaster in Oswestry who became the first Chief Inspector of the Central Welsh Board for Intermediate Education | ||
? | 1911 | ? | Headmaster of Ruthin School | ||
1649 | — | — | Graduated from Christ Church, Oxford; Master of Magdalen College School, Oxford and writer of educational books | ||
1891 | 1895 | BA Literae Humaniores | Director of Education for Kent for 20 years and writer on educational matters | ||
1824 | 1827 | BA | Welsh cleric who helped to found schools in Caernarfon; the father of Llewellyn Thomas | ||
1735 | 1739 | BA | Welsh cleric and schoolteacher, who was Master of the Friars School, Bangor; grandfather of James Vincent, who also attended the college | ||
1823 | 1827 | BA Literae Humaniores | Headmaster of Ruthin School, Principal | ||
1777 | 1783 | BA, MA | Cleric in north Wales and master of the Free school in Llanrwst | ||
1785 | — | — | Cleric in north Wales whose Sunday school in Llanrug was the first in the county; graduated from Christ Church in 1790 | ||
? | ? | BA | Headmaster of Clynnog Fawr School, which moved to become Clwyd College, Rhyl; a Presbyterian minister and writer |
Artists and writers
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1998 | ? | BA Modern History | Won the 2007 Waterstone's Children's Book Prize for his first novel, Darkside | ||
1824 | 1828 | BA | Welsh poet and writer, using the bardic name Alun | ||
1975 | 1978 | DPhil | Novelist 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." | ||
1943 | 1950 | BA 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 | ||
1833 | 1840 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA | Clergyman and contributor to Blackwood's Magazine | ||
1641 | DNG | — | Moved 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 | ||
1723 | 1732 | BA, MA, BM | Physician and satirist | ||
1794 | DNG | — | Welsh clergyman, poet and transcriber of manuscripts, who was at the college from March to June 1794 | ||
1810 | 1817 | BA Literae Humaniores, MA, BD | Welsh poet, known as Daniel Ddu o Geredigion | ||
1789 | 1792 | BA | Wrote four works about the topography of Wales | ||
– | 1599 | MA, 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 | ||
1999 | 2002 | BA Philosophy and Theology | Singer and poet, Welsh Children's Bard | ||
1941 | 1949 | ? | Studies interrupted by war service; a Benedictine monk and poet | ||
1610 | 1613 | BA | Writer | ||
1929 | 1933 | BA Literae Humaniores | Author of 16 novels and two books for children; winner of the Newdigate Prize for English verse | ||
1794 | 1800 | BA, MA | Welsh poet, who won prizes at the Denbigh Eisteddfodau of 1819 and 1828 | ||
1928 | 1931 | BLitt | Welsh novelist, whose thesis was entitled "The London Magazine from 1820 to 1829" | ||
1905 | 1908 | BA Theology , DLitt | Welsh poet and theologian; Archdruid of the National Eisteddfod of Wales | ||
1959 | 1965 | BA Geography, DPhil | Author of the historical-fiction series Angel Mountain Saga, whose DPhil was on the Ice Age in Wales | ||
1759 | DNG | — | Left in 1761 to become a painter on the death of his uncle, at whose instigation he was studying for ordination | ||
1992 | 1995 | BA Modern History and English | Author and journalist | ||
1698 | 1702 | BA | Poet, whose collections of poetry also included works by Alexander Pope and John Dyer | ||
1751 | 1757 | BA, MA | Satirical poet, whose works led to his imprisonment and hampered his career in the church | ||
1933 | 1939 | BA Modern History, BLitt | Welsh 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" | ||
1956 | 1959 | BA English | Indian writer, poet and columnist | ||
1704 | 1708 | BA | Clergyman and poet and author of Myfyrdodau bucheddol ar y pedwar peth diweddaf | ||
1851 | 1856 | BA Literae Humaniores | Anglo-Welsh poet, who was the first student to obtain 1st in Classics in both Mods and Finals for 30 years | ||
1965 | 1967 | BA English | South African poet, who returned to the college to study for a BPhil but died in 1970 before completing the course | ||
1742 | DNG | — | Welsh poet who was hardly resident at the college | ` | |
1979 | ? | BA English | British science fiction writer | ||
– | 1583 | MA, BTh | Initially a member of Balliol College; a Welsh priest and writer | ||
1650 | 1657 | BA, MA | Welsh clergyman and satirist | ||
1990 | ? | BA, DPhil | Prize-winning Welsh novelist and lecturer at Bangor University | ||
1597 | 1602 | BA | Welsh poet and clergyman, known as Yr Hen Ficer, and author of Canwyll y Cymry | ||
1889 | 1892 | BA Literae Humaniores | Welsh priest and writer | ||
1774 | DNG | — | Welsh poet and schoolmaster, who only spent one term at the college | ||
1708 | 1711 | BA | Canon of St Asaph's Cathedral, who was also a writer and satirist | ||
1792 | 1796 | BA | Welsh cleric and writer | ||
1690 | 1696 | BA, MA, BD, DD | Welsh priest and writer | ||
1977 | ? | BA Old English Language and Literature | American author of the Horrid Henry series of books | ||
— | 1794 | DD | Welsh 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 | ||
1959 | 1966 | DPhil | Welsh poet, appointed National Poet of Wales in 2006 | ||
1747 | ? | BA | Welsh writer; editor and proprietor of the St James's Chronicle in London, and editor of Robert Ainsworth's Latin Dictionary | ||
1971 | ? | BA Geography | Crime writer | ||
1641? | DNG | — | Welsh poet and doctor; college records unclear on entry date | ||
1638 | 1646/7 | BA, graduate scholar until 1646/1647 | Welsh clergyman, poet and writer | ||
1592 | 1605 | BA , MA , BCL , DCL | Welsh writer and colonial investor | ||
1777 | 1781 | BA | Welsh clergyman and poet | ||
1740 | 1744 | BA | Welsh clergyman and writer | ||
1832 | 1835 | BA Literae Humaniores | Welsh writer and clergyman | ||
1672 | 1676 | BA | Welsh writer whose works include A Pindaric Elegy on the famous Physician Dr. Willis | ||
1727 | 1735 | BA, MA | Welsh cleric and poet | ||
1692 | ? | BA, possibly MA too, possibly in Law | Welsh clergyman and writer, particularly remembered for Gweledigaetheu y Bardd Cwsc | ||
1956 | 1958 | BA PPE | American Rhodes Scholar, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing |
Broadcasters and entertainers
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
? | ? | ? | West End, film and TV actor, whose roles included "The Voice" in the children's TV series Garry Halliday | ||
1973 | 1976 | MA English | Children's television producer and advocate | ||
1922 | 1926 | BA Literae Humaniores | Radio producer and bookseller | ||
1975 | 1979 | B Litt | Scottish author | ||
1946 | 1949 | BA Modern History | Quiz question-setter, who was "Mycroft" on BBC Radio 4's Brain of Britain | ||
1971 | DNG | — | Argentinian actor who studied for a DPhil in Economics, but his scholarship finished before his thesis was complete | ||
? | DNG | — | ITV national weather forecaster who left after 1 year of a BLitt in Celtic Studies | ||
1948 | 1951 | BA English | Television presenter and writer | ||
? | 1980s | BA Modern History | Comedian and actor | ||
? | ? | BA | Political Editor of Independent Television News and BBC Wales ; the Electoral Commission's Commissioner for Wales | ||
1922 | 1926 | BA Theology | Chancellor of Llandaff Cathedral and one of the panellists on the BBC show "The Brains Trust" | ||
? | ? | postgraduate work on climate change | BBC national weather forecaster on radio and television | ||
1972 | 1975 | BA English | Television and theatre producer, and Chief Executive of the Really Useful Group | ||
1976 | 1980 | BA Modern Languages | Journalist and broadcaster; the college's first female honorary fellow | ||
? | DNG | — | Actor, known for his swashbuckling roles, who was murdered outside the Adelphi Theatre in 1897 by an unstable and struggling actor | ||
2008 | 2011 | BA History | Journalist; Deputy Editor of Buzzfeed | ||
1950 | 1953 | BA Jurisprudence | Actor, member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and Tony Award winner in 1976 |
Musicians
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1825 | 1830 | BA | Welsh cleric and hymn-tune composer, most notably of Rhosymedre | ||
? | 1731 | BA, MA | Welsh priest, scholar and musician | ||
1905 | ? | BA Music, BMus | College organ exhibitioner; Professor of Pianoforte at the Royal College of Music | ||
1876 | 1881 | BA | Baritone singer who needed several attempts to pass his exams | ||
? | DNG | — | Singer with Manfred Mann | ||
1957 | 1960 | BA Music | Organ scholar at college; organist and master of the choristers at Norwich Cathedral ; Chief Executive of the Royal College of Organists | ||
1929 | 1934 | BA Literae Humaniores, Diploma in Education, DMus | English composer who studied with Herbert Howells | ||
? | ? | BA Chemistry | Pianist specialising in the work of John Ireland | ||
1940 | 1949 | BA Music | A musicologist ; editor of Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and Professor of Music at Columbia University ; studied languages then music after his war service | ||
2012 | 2013 | MSt Music Performance | A 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
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1951 | 1954 | BA Natural Science | British rally driver who was given a red MG sports car by his father for winning a scholarship to the college | ||
1957 | 1959 | BA Mathematics | Indian athlete who competed in the 1960 Summer Olympics | ||
1948 | 1952 | BA Chemistry | Welsh rugby union international, winning three caps ; rugby "Blue" in 1951 | ||
1905 | 1908 | BA Mathematics | Welsh rugby union international, winning one cap ; rugby "Blue" three times | ||
? | 1909 | BA Theology | Welsh rugby union international, winning seven caps ; did not win a "Blue" | ||
1885 | 1888 | ? | Welsh rugby union international, winning five caps ; rugby "Blue" twice ; later became a solicitor and was knighted for public services to Wales | ||
1887 | ? | ? | Welsh rugby union international, winning three caps ; rugby "Blue" in 1890 | ||
1876 | 1883 | BA Theology, MA | Welsh rugby union international, winning two caps ; did not win a "Blue" | ||
1880 | 1884 | BA, MA | English rugby union international, winning four caps ; the college's first rugby "Blue", and its only English rugby international | ||
1919 | 1921 | BA French | Welsh rugby union international, winning two caps ; rugby "Blue" in 1919, and part of the college team that won the inter-college cup in 1920 | ||
1919 | 1921 | BA Modern History | College 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 | ||
1930 | 1933 | BA Literae Humaniores | Welsh 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 | ||
1930 | 1933 | BA Modern History | Welsh rugby union international, winning one cap ; rugby "Blue" twice | ||
1871 | 1875 | BA Mathematics | Played first-class cricket for Oxford University CC; cricket "Blue" in 1874 | ||
1872 | 1879 | BA, MA | Welsh rugby union international, winning five caps ; a triple "Blue" | ||
1991 | 1996 | BA Biochemistry | Quadriplegic solo sailor – the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the English Channel | ||
1919 | 1923 | BA 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 | ||
1891 | 1894 | BA Modern History | Welsh rugby union international, winning three caps ; rugby "Blue" three times and the first Welshman to captain Oxford University RFC | ||
1877 | DNG | — | Welsh rugby union international, winning one cap in the first international match involving Wales ; did not win a "Blue" | ||
1879 | 1883 | BA Theology | Played first-class cricket for Oxford University CC; cricket "Blue" three times | ||
1898 | 1901 | ? | Welsh rugby union international, winning five caps ; rugby "Blue" three times | ||
2004 | 2006 | Diploma in Legal Studies; MSc Management Studies | Canadian rower who was part of the winning crew for the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race in 2005 and 2006 |
Other people in public life
Name | M | G | Degree | Notes | Ref |
1947 | DNG | — | Zoo 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 | ||
1958 | 1961 | BA Mathematics | Chief Executive of Commercial Union and Chairman of the National House Building Council since 2002 | ||
1951 | 1954 | BA PPE | Chief Executive of Cambridge University Press and Chairman of the Royal Shakespeare Company | ||
1963 | 1966 | BA Modern History | Chair of Welsh National Opera, formerly Controller of BBC Wales and Chair of the Arts Council of Wales | ||
2004 | 2008 | BA Economics and Management | Businessman who won the "02 X Young Entrepreneur of the Year" award in 2009 | ||
1986 | 1989 | BA English | Writer and wife of former Conservative Party leader William Hague | ||
1923 | 1927 | BA Modern History | Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership | ||
1962 | 1965 | BA PPE | Chairman and Chief Executive of Gateway and Chairman of Charles Wells | ||
1692 | DNG | — | A 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 | ||
1976 | ? | MLitt | Media entrepreneur and Chairman of YouGov | ||
1854 | 1858 | BA 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 | ||
1968 | 1971 | BA Jurisprudence | Chief Constable of Northumbria Police | ||
1688 | DNG | — | Industrialist and philanthropist |
Fictional students of Jesus College
Character | Author | Notes | Ref |
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 others | Phillips 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 |