List of vice-chancellors and wardens of Durham University


The vice-chancellor and warden is the chief executive officer of Durham University. He or she also holds the position of "Warden of the Durham Colleges" and is appointed by Council. Reporting to the vice-chancellor and warden are the deputy vice-chancellor, pro-vice-chancellors for research, education and each of the faculties, the pro-vice-chancellor and deputy warden of the colleges, the registrar and the treasurer.
Under the original constitution of the University, the post of Warden combined the roles of chief executive and formal head of the University. Charles Thorp was appointed acting warden in December 1831 by Bishop William van Mildert, and in 1834 he was appointed to the position on a permanent basis by the Dean and Chapter of Durham Cathedral. After Thorp's death in 1862, the post of Warden was held ex officio by the Dean of Durham, with Sub-Warden becoming a permanent post, presaging the vice-chancellorship. From 1909, with the creation of the federal university, and the handing over of the dean and chapter's responsibilities to the newly-formed council, the executive and formal roles were officially separated into the vice-chancellor and the chancellor, with the warden becoming the chancellor and the sub-warden becoming the vice-chancellor. The vice-chancellor was elected by the council to serve a two-year term. In 1937 the permanent posts of Warden of the Durham Colleges and Rector of King's College were created, with the vice-chancellorship being held by each for two years at a time.
With King's College becoming Newcastle University in 1963, the wardenship of the Durham Colleges was permanently united with the vice-chancellorship as the vice-chancellor and warden. The University numbers Chris Higgins as its 23rd vice-chancellor and warden, implying a count starting with the University's reconstitution in 1909 and continuing through the further reconstitutions in 1937 and 1963 despite the changes of title over this period.

Wardens of Durham University

Source: Durham University records.
Source: Fowler and Durham University records.
Source: Durham University records.
Source: Durham University records except where otherwise noted.