Page 5 - Linacre 50 years

John Bernard Bamborough

The First Principal: 1962-1988

“John Bamborough , a dis nguished scholar, graduate of

New College, Fellow and Tutor of Wadham, and University

Lecturer in English, 1951-1962, . . . was formally confirmed

as Principal-Elect on 16 May, 1961. He brought with him

considerable experience as a Dean, Domes c Bursar and

Senior Tutor, as well as the strategic advantage of his

appointment to Hebdomadal Council, 1961 to 1979, and a

las ng commitment to his discipline as editor of the Review

of English Studies, 1964 to 1978. From the outset he was

able to set his stamp on the shape and style of Linacre.”

“As one came to know Oxford a li le be er,

one realized that Bam had worked a kind of

miracle in founding a college in the 20th

century. He accomplished this through a

supreme ‘poli cal’ talent, trust in a good vision

and very hard work that has paid off for all

who have been privileged to be at Linacre.”

“He was much-loved, both for his enlightened ‘No End to Learning’

direc on of the College, and for the affec onate

interest he took in every one of his students, — College mo o proposed by Bam

myself included.”

“ I didn’t really expect the Queen to present

the charter in person (even though I was rather

puffed up at finding myself described in the

Charter as Her Majesty’s ‘right worthy and well

beloved John Bamborough’), but I thought

perhaps some kind of special messenger might

arrive (perhaps a Life Guard in full uniform). In

fact I was just informed that it was ready for

collec on from the Home Office; a minion

handed it to me done up in a brown paper

“John and Anne were very much a part of our
parcel, which I took back to Oxford on the

experience of Linacre life—in the Common
train. There was, however, an occasion later in

Room, at Guest Nights and Dessert, at Linacre
College when the charter was formally handed

house par es and at our wedding in the
over to us by the Vice-Chancellor.”

College.”

—John Bamborough