Balliol College, Oxford

Balliol College (pronounced /ˈbeɪlɪəl/), founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. The University of Oxford comprises 38 Colleges and 6 religious Permanent Private Halls (PPHs which are autonomous self-governing A Permanent Private Hall at the University of Oxford is an educational institution within the university &mdash not as a constituent college but able to present students for The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the John de Balliol (Baliol (died 25 October, 1268) was a leading figure of Scottish and English life of his time Most of the colleges forming the University of Cambridge and University of Oxford are paired into sister colleges across the two universities St John's College, an institution known formally as The Master Fellows and Scholars of the College of St John the Evangelist in the University of Cambridge is a Andrew Graham (born June 20, 1942 in Perranporth, Cornwall) is an academic and Master of Balliol College Oxford. In some universities in the United Kingdom — particularly collegiate universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Durham — the academic body In some universities in the United Kingdom — particularly collegiate universities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Durham — the academic body Oxford is currently bidding for the 2010 Wikimania Conference Oxford () is a city, and the County town of Oxfordshire, A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. The University of Oxford comprises 38 Colleges and 6 religious Permanent Private Halls (PPHs which are autonomous self-governing The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland

Balliol is Oxford's most popular college, measured in terms of the number of applications for entry from prospective students. In 2005, Balliol had the largest number of applications of any Oxford college both from undergraduate students and from graduate students (for at least the third year running), according to the college website. ^[1] Balliol also traditionally attracts more international students than the other undergraduate colleges. As of 2006, Balliol had an endowment of £78m. A financial endowment is a Transfer of Money or Property donated to an Institution, usually with the stipulation that it be invested ^[2]

Traditionally, the undergraduates are amongst the most politically active in the university, and the college's alumni include several former prime ministers. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. H. H. Asquith (a Balliol undergraduate and British Prime Minister) once wryly described Balliol men as possessing "the tranquil consciousness of an effortless superiority". Herbert Henry Asquith 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC ( 12 September 1852 &ndash 15 February 1928) served During Benjamin Jowett's Mastership in the 19th century, the College rose from its relative obscurity to occupy the first rank of colleges, and indeed continues to play a prominent role. Benjamin Jowett (April 15 1817 – October 1 1893 was an English scholar Classicist and theologian, and Master of Balliol College Oxford The 19th century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1801 and ended on December 31, 1900, according to the Gregorian calendar In 2006, 45. 1% of finalists got First Class Honours degrees, a higher proportion than any other Oxford college has ever achieved, and was placed second in the Norrington Table. The Norrington Table is an annual ranking that lists the colleges of the University of Oxford in order of the performance of their Undergraduate students

1 History
2 Student life
3 Traditions and customs
4 The College buildings
- 4.1 Front Quadrangle
- 4.2 Garden Quadrangle
5 Notable people
6 Academics and visiting academics
7 Institutes and centres
8 External links
9 References

History

The College was founded in about 1263 (leading many to argue that it is the University's oldest college, a claim contested by University College and Merton College) by John I de Balliol under the guidance of the Bishop of Durham. University College (in full the The Master and Fellows of the College of the Great Hall of the University of Oxford, colloquially referred to as Univ) is one of See also Wardens of Merton College Oxford. Merton College is also the name of a college in the London Borough of Merton. John de Balliol (Baliol (died 25 October, 1268) was a leading figure of Scottish and English life of his time See also List of Bishops of Durham The Bishop of Durham is the Anglican Bishop responsible for the Diocese of Durham in After his death in 1268, his widow, Dervorguilla of Galloway, made arrangements to ensure the permanence of the college. Dervorguilla of Galloway (c 1210 - January 28, 1290) was a 'lady of substance' during the 13th century wife from 1223 of John 5th Baron de Balliol She provided capital, and in 1282, formulated the college statutes, documents that survive to this day.

Student life

The college provides its students with a broad range of facilities, including accommodation, the great hall (refectory), a library, two bars, and separate common rooms for the fellows, the graduates and undergraduates. A library is a collection of information sources resources and services and the structure in which it is housed it is organized for use and maintained by a public body an institution A graduate school or ("grad school" is a school that awards advanced degrees such as doctoral degrees with the general requirement that students must have earned In some Educational systems undergraduate education is Post-secondary education up to the level of a Bachelor's degree. There are also garden quadrangles and a nearby sportsground and boat-house. The sportsground is mainly used for cricket, tennis, hockey and football. Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Tennis is a sport played between two players ( singles) or between two teams of two players each ( doubles) Field hockey is a Team sport in which players attempt to score goals by hitting the Ball across the pitch with a stick Football is the word given to a number of similar Team sports all of which involve (to varying degrees kicking a Ball with the foot in an attempt to score a The majority of undergraduates are housed within the main college or in the modern annexes around the sportsground. Croquet may be played in the Master's Field, or garden quadrangles in the summer. Croquet is a Game played both as a recreational Pastime and as a competitive Sport which involves hitting wooden or plastic balls with a mallet through The graduates are housed mainly within Holywell Manor which has its own bar, gardens, common room, laundry and computing facilities. Holywell Manor is the building currently housing the bulk of Balliol College's post-graduate population Balliol is proud to have a long standing Music Society which organises four free Sunday evening concerts in the College Hall each term. Balliol is the only Oxford college to have its own bridge club.

Balliol also takes pride in its college tortoises. The original tortoise, who resided at the College for at least 43 years, was known as Rosa, named after the notable German Marxist Rosa Luxemburg. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Marxism is the political philosophy and practice derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Rosa Luxemburg (Róża Luksemburg 5 March 1870 or 1871 15 January 1919 was a Polish-born Jewish German Marxist theorist, socialist Each June, pet tortoises from various Oxford colleges are brought to Corpus Christi College where they participate in a very slow race; Balliol's own Rosa competed and won many times. Corpus Christi College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Rosa disappeared in the Spring of 2004, and while numerous conspiracy theories have abounded, none is officially recognised by the College. However, on 29th April 2007, Chris Skidmore, a Graduate of Christ Church working at the House of Commons, donated a pair of tortoises - one to his own college, and one to Balliol, where he had attended an open day in 1999. Not to be confused with Christchurch, a city in New Zealand. Christ Church (Ædes Christi the temple or house of Christ and thus sometimes known as The new tortoise, Matilda, is doing well. Taking care of the resident tortoise is one of the many tasks assigned to Balliol students each year. This position, known as "Comrade Tortoise", has been filled by a student every year, regardless of whether there has been a tortoise to care for or not. The Assistant Gardener, Steve Taylor who joined Balliol from Cotswold Wildlife Park assists Comrade Tortoise in the practical matters of testudinal care.

Balliol students are noted for their left-wing tendencies; the college ethos has been described as "conservatively left-wing". The JCR has had requests for the Sun and News of the World newspapers several times, but each time a majority of students voted against the idea. In 2008 it was voted by a GM that the JCR would receive a daily copy of the Sun. Two weeks later, at the next GM, this decision was reversed.

Balliol's JCR is noted for being particularly active, providing many services for its members. These range from laundry facilities, one of the few entirely student-run bars in Oxford (the Manager, Lord/Lady Lindsay, is elected each year by students in the JCR) to a cafeteria (known as Pantry) which serves itemised cooked breakfast until 11. 30am each day, Lunch 6 days a week, afternoon tea and cakes, and dinner 5 nights a week. Members of the JCR are encouraged to get involved with the running of these facilities.

Traditions and customs

The front of the college in Broad Street. Broad Street is a wide street in Oxford, England. It is famous for its bookshops including the original Blackwell's bookshop at number 50

Along with many of the ancient colleges, Balliol has evolved its own traditions and customs over the centuries, many of which occupy a regular calendar slot.

The patron saint of the College is Saint Catherine of Alexandria. The patron saint of a particular group of people is a Saint who would protect and 'love' the group and its members Saint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine ( Greek) is a Christian On her feast day (25 November), a formal dinner is held for all final year students within Balliol. Events 1034 - Máel Coluim mac Cináeda, King of Scots dies Donnchad, the This festival was well established by 1550 (in which year college archives say that a peacock was served). The term peafowl refers to Gallinaceous Birds classified within the genera Rheinardia Argusianus Afropavoand Pavo

Another important feast in the College calendar is the Snell Dinner (normally held on the Friday of the 3rd week in March). This dinner is held in memory of John Snell, whose benefaction established exhibitions for students from the University of Glasgow to study at Balliol (the first exhibitioners were matriculated in 1699) one of whom was Adam Smith. Sir John Snell (1629 – August 6 1679) founder of the Snell exhibitions at the University of Oxford, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland The University of Glasgow (Oilthigh Ghlaschu was founded in 1451 in Glasgow, Scotland and along with its contemporary institutions the University of St Andrews The feast is attended by fellows of Balliol College, the current Snell Exhibitioners, and representatives from Glasgow University and St John's College, Cambridge. St John's College, an institution known formally as The Master Fellows and Scholars of the College of St John the Evangelist in the University of Cambridge is a

By far the most eccentric is The Nepotists carol-singing event organised by the College's Arnold and Brackenbury society. This event happens on the last Friday of Michaelmas term each year. Michaelmas, the feast of St Michael the Archangel (also the Feast of SS Michael Gabriel and Raphael or the Feast of Michael and All Angels) is a day in the On this occasion Balliol students congregate in the college hall to enjoy mulled wine and the singing of hymns. The evening ends with a rendition of "The Gordouli" on Broad Street, outside the gates of Trinity College. The College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity in the University of Oxford of the foundation of Sir Thomas Pope (Knight, or Trinity College for short is one of the The Gordouli is an eccentric song written by Balliol students in the 1890s, inspired by (and inspiring) the rivalry between the students of Trinity and Balliol.

The College buildings

Front Quadrangle

The college has been on its present site since its inception by Balliol's Scholars as their residence. A lease dating to 1263 to them is the traditional 'foundation' date. The oldest parts of the College are the north and west ranges of the front quadrangle, dated to 1431, respectively the medieval Hall, west side, now the 'new library' and the 'old library' first floor north side. The ground floor is the 'Old' (ie Senior) Common Room. This means that Balliol's second library predates printed books. There is a possibility that the original Master's Chamber, south west side, adorned with a fine oriel window is earlier than these; it is now the Master's Dining Room. The Chapel is the third (perhaps fourth) on the site Butterfield 1857. Alfred Waterhouse designed the main Broad Street frontage of the college, with gateway and tower, known as the Brackenbury Buildings, in 1867-68 Staircases ('Stc') I-VII, the first Stc next to the Chapel is the Organ Scholars lodgings. Alfred Waterhouse (19 July 1830 – 22 August 1905 was an English Architect, particularly associated with the Victorian Gothic revival. Broad Street is a wide street in Oxford, England. It is famous for its bookshops including the original Blackwell's bookshop at number 50 Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Year 1868 ( MDCCCLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap These replaced earlier structures.

Garden Quadrangle

South-side is the front part of the Master's Lodgings on Broad Street from the Waterhouse improvements of the 1860s of the front quad. The neighbour to this is the Fisher Building of 1759 (Stc X) The undistinguished looking Stc XI, south west side, is in fact the oldest structure in this quadrangle, 1720, originally intended as accommodation for scholars from Bristol, hence its name. Continuing the west-side Stc XII-XIV dates from 1826, by George Basevi, and marks the beginnings of the college's academic renaissance being required for the increasing number of Commoners applying for places. Stc XV by Warren of 1912 filled in the last gap of the quadrangle; the ground floor and basement is the principal Junior Common Room. This unfortunately obscures the lines of the Salvin designed Stc XVI-XIX with Tower of 1853. As does the 1968 building by Beard Stc XX, replacing a Victorian structure. This completely hides a formal gateway similar to that at the Broad Street main entrance, this can be viewed outside from Little Magdalen Street, through the gap marked XIX one finds the small function room 'Massey Room'. At north side, of Stc XX is the 'Back Gate' which is part of the 1906 Warren building, west and north side, Stc XXI. At 1 St Giles Street is its neighbour which is part of the college and houses the Oxford Internet Institute. The Oxford Internet Institute ( OII) is a multi-disciplinary institute based at the University of Oxford, England, and housed in Balliol College Oxford Beard's Stc XXII, replacing Victorian rooms, these were provided from the Vivian Bulkeley-Johnson benefaction. Beard's Stc XX and XXII are connected by the Snell Bridge accommodation at third floor level, which was provided from Glasgow University's Snell Benefaction.

The 'new' Hall (replacing that in the front quadrangle) is built on land given by Benjamin Jowett, a Victorian Master of the College. Also by Alfred Waterhouse of 1877, it contains a Willis organ for concerts, again instituted by Jowett. The ground floor contains the college bar and shop ie 'The Buttery' (west side) and the Senior Common Room lunch room (east side). The 1966 new Senior Common Room range (Stc XXIII)(northern and eastern sides) was a benefaction of the Bernard Sunley Foundation and contains some smaller rooms and the principal SCR lounge, replacing Victorian facilities. Below this is a Lecture Room {'LR XXIII'}. The east side of the quad is a neighbouring wall with Trinity College, at the southern end is the Master's Garden, in front of the Chapel, and the Fellow's Garden in front of the 'Old' (Senior) Common Room. The Tower forming the corner between the 'Old Hall' and 'Old Library' is also by Salvin, of 1853 and balances that at Stc XVI-XIX.

The 20th century saw several further additions to the college's buildings. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on Many undergraduates and some graduates live in buildings on Jowett Walk, five minutes' walking distance from the main buildings, surrounding the Master's Field, the sports facilities of the College. The majority of graduates are housed in the Holywell Manor complex, on Manor Road a little further south of this. Holywell Manor is the building currently housing the bulk of Balliol College's post-graduate population

The quad at Balliol is the scene of the well-known limerick about the philosophy of Bishop Berkeley:

There was a young man who said, God

Must think it exceedingly odd

If he finds that this tree

Continues to be

When there's no one about in the Quad

and also of the ingenious response by the (Balliol-educated) Catholic theologian and Bible translator Ronald Knox:

Dear Sir, your astonishment's odd:

I am always about in the Quad. George Berkeley (ˈbɑrkli (12 March 1685 14 January 1753 also known as Bishop Berkeley, was a Philosopher. Msgr Ronald Knox ( February 17[[ 888]]- August 24[[ 957]] was an English theologian, Priest and Crime writer.

And that's why the tree

Will continue to be,

Since observed by, Yours faithfully, GOD.

Notable people

Main article: List of Balliol College people

Richard Dawkins attended Balliol College from 1959 to 1962. The following is a list of notable people educated at Balliol College Oxford.

In common with many Oxford colleges, Balliol has produced a wide range of graduates in the fields of economics, history, law, physiology, medicine, management, humanities, mathematics, science, technology, media, philosophy, poetry, politics, and religion. Economics is the social science that studies the production distribution, and consumption of goods and services. History is the study of the past particularly the written record Those who study history as a Profession are called Historians Etymology Law is a system of rules enforced through a set of Institutions used as an instrument to underpin civil obedience politics economics and society Physiology (from Greek grc φύσις physis, "nature origin" and grc -λογία -logia) is the study of the mechanical physical Medicine is the art and science of healing It encompasses a range of Health care practices evolved to maintain and restore Human Health by the Management (covering theory practice and scope of management and Manager' (covering the people who manage might help clarify and systematise The humanities are academic disciplines which study the Human condition, using methods that are primarily Analytic, Critical, or Speculative Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and Science (from the Latin scientia, meaning " Knowledge " or "knowing" is the effort to discover, and increase human understanding Technology is a broad concept that deals with a Species ' usage and knowledge of Tools and Crafts and how it affects a species' ability to control and adapt "Popular press" redirects here note that the University of Wisconsin Press publishes under the imprint "The Popular Press" Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos They have also contributed significantly to public life. Balliol people were, for example, prominent in establishing the International Baccalaureate, the National Trust, the Workers Educational Association, the Welfare State and Amnesty International. The International Baccalaureate (IB Diploma Programme (DP is an Educational programme examined in one of three languages ( English, French or Spanish The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organization in England, Wales The Workers’ Educational Association (WEA seeks to provide access to education and lifelong learning for adults from all backgrounds and in particular those who have previously missed For the Scottish footballer and athlete see William Beveridge (footballer William Henry Beveridge 1st Baron Beveridge ( 5 March Amnesty International (commonly known as Amnesty or AI) is a Western based international Non-governmental organization which defines its mission as "to

Balliol has produced five Nobel Laureates: Sir Cyril Norman Hinshelwood (Chemistry, 1956), Sir John Hicks (Economics, 1972), Baruch S. Blumberg (Medicine, 1976), Anthony J. Leggett (Physics, 2003) and Oliver Smithies (Medicine, 2007). Sir Cyril Norman Hinshelwood OM PRS ( June 19, 1897 &ndash October 9, 1967) was an English Physical chemist Sir John Richard Hicks ( April 8, 1904 May 20, 1989) was one of the most important and influential Economists and Religious Inclusivists Baruch Samuel Blumberg (born July 28, 1925) is an American scientist and recipient of the 1976 Sir Anthony James Leggett, KBE, FRS, (born March 26, 1938, Camberwell, London) is John D Oliver Smithies (born June 23 1925) is a British-born American geneticist and Nobel laureate, credited with the invention Seven more have been Fellows of the College: George Beadle (Medicine), Norman Ramsey (Physics), Robert Solow (Economics), John Van Vleck (Physics), Gunnar Myrdal (Economics), Linus Pauling (both Peace and Chemistry) and William D. Phillips (Physics). George Wells Beadle ( October 22, 1903 &ndash June 9, 1989) was an American Scientist in the field of Genetics Norman Foster Ramsey Jr (born August 27, 1915, in Washington DC) is an American Physicist. Robert Merton Solow (born August 23 1924 is an American Economist particularly known for his work on the theory of Economic growth. John Hasbrouck Van Vleck ( March 13, 1899 &ndash October 27, 1980) was an American physicist. Karl Gunnar Myrdal (6 December 1898 – 17 May 1987 was a Swedish economist politician and Nobel laureate Linus Carl Pauling (February 28 1901 – August 19 1994 was an American Scientist, Peace activist, Author and educator. William Daniel Phillips (born November 5, 1948 in Wilkes-Barre Pennsylvania) is an American Physicist. Renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins was a student there from 1959 to 1962. Evolutionary biology is a sub-field of Biology concerned with the origin of Species from a Common descent, and Descent of species Clinton Richard Dawkins, FRS, FRSL (born 26 March 1941 is a British ethologist, evolutionary biologist, and Popular science Adam Smith attended this college between 1740 and 1746 as a Snell Exhibitioner. Adam Smith ( baptised 16 June 1723 – 17 July 1790) was a Scottish moral philosopher and a pioneer of Political economy.

In politics, Balliol has produced three British Prime Ministers: H. H. Asquith, Harold Macmillan , and Edward Heath. Wikipedia talkFeatured lists for an explanation of this and other inclusion tags below -->This is a list of Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom, and Herbert Henry Asquith 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC ( 12 September 1852 &ndash 15 February 1928) served (Maurice Harold Macmillan 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC (10 February 1894 &ndash 29 December 1986 was a British Conservative Politician Sir Edward Richard George Heath, KG, MBE (9 July 1916 &ndash 17 July 2005 often known as Ted Heath, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom At the mid point of the twentieth century members of the College held senior leadership positions in the three major political parties, those previously mentioned were supplemented by Jo Grimond (Liberal Leader), Denis Healey and Roy Jenkins both of whom had been Chancellor and both expected to serve as PM, the last named also led the Social Democratic Party and became President of the European Commission.

Three kings, Olav V and Harald V of Norway, and Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Malaysia have studied at Balliol. Olav V (2 July 1903 &ndash 17 January 1991 was the King of Norway from 1957 until his death Childhood and education When Prince Harald was born in Skaugum he was the first heir to the throne of Norway to be born in Norway for several hundred years In Malay Yang di-Pertuan Besar, literally "He Who Is Made Great " or "Great Ruler", is a royal Title. Richard von Weizsäcker, President of Germany from 1984 to 1994, also studied at Balliol. Richard Karl Freiherr von Weizsäcker (born April 15 1920) is a German politician ( CDU)

Balliol lawyers have also been prominent. Lord Bingham, who read History and has been the College's Visitor for many years, is the Senior Law Lord of the United Kingdom, while Sir Brian Hutton and Lord Rodger have held equivalent positions in Northern Ireland and Scotland, at one point, all three simultaneously. Lords of Appeal in Ordinary, or Law Lords, are appointed under the Appellate Jurisdiction Act 1876 to the House of Lords of the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located James Brian Edward Hutton Baron Hutton QC PC (born June 29, 1931) is a former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and British Alan Ferguson Rodger Baron Rodger of Earlsferry, PC, QC, FRSE (born 18 September 1944) is a Scottish judge Northern Ireland (Tuaisceart Éireann Ulster Scots: Norlin Airlann) is a Country within the United Kingdom, lying in the northeast of Scotland ( Gaelic: Alba) is a Country in northwest Europethat occupies the northern third of the island of Great Britain.

Literary figures include Robert Southey, Matthew Arnold, Gerald Manley Hopkins, Arthur Hugh Clough, Hilaire Belloc, Ronald Knox, Graham Greene, Joseph Macleod, Anthony Powell and Aldous Huxley, Robertson Davies and Nevil Shute. Robert Southey ( August 12, 1774 &ndash March 21, 1843) was an English Poet of the Romantic school one Matthew Arnold (24 December 1822 &ndash 15 April 1888 was an English Poet, and Cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools Gerard Manley Hopkins ( 28 July 1844 – 8 June, 1889) was an English Poet, Roman Catholic convert and Arthur Hugh Clough ( January 1, 1819 &ndash November 13, 1861) was an English Poet, and the brother of Anne Jemima Joseph Hilaire Pierre René Belloc (27 July 1870 &ndash 16 July 1953 was a French -born Writer who became a Naturalised British subject Msgr Ronald Knox ( February 17[[ 888]]- August 24[[ 957]] was an English theologian, Priest and Crime writer. Henry Graham Greene OM, CH (2 October 1904 &ndash 3 April 1991 was an English writer best known as a novelist but who also produced Short stories Joseph Todd Gordon Macleod (1903-1984 was a British poet actor playwright theatre director theatre historian and BBC Newsreader Anthony Dymoke Powell, CH, CBE (December 21 1905&ndashMarch 28 2000 was an English novelist best known for his twelve-volume work A Dance to the Music Aldous Leonard Huxley (26 July 1894 &ndash 22 November 1963 was an English writer and one of the most prominent members of the famous Huxley family. William Robertson Davies, CC, FRSC, FRSL (born August 28, 1913, at Thamesville, Ontario, and died December Nevil Shute Norway ( 17 January 1899 - 12 January 1960) was both a popular novelist and a successful aeronautical engineer Perhaps its most famous literary character, however, is fictional: author Dorothy Sayers' made her well-known detective Lord Peter Wimsey a graduate of, and noted cricketer for, Balliol. Dorothy Leigh Sayers ( IPA: usually pronounced /ˈseɪɜrz/ although Sayers herself preferred /ˈsɛːz/ and encouraged the use of her middle initial to facilitate this Lord Peter Death Bredon Wimsey, a Fictional character, is a bon vivant sleuth in a series of detective novels and short stories by Dorothy Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries

Balliol members have had a predominance as holders of the office of Chancellor of the University from the 20th Century to the present; George Nathaniel Curzon, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon, Harold Macmillan, Roy Jenkins and Chris Patten, the last two being opposed in their election by Edward Heath and Lord Bingham of Cornhill respectively. Chancellors of the University of Oxford include 1224 Robert Grosseteste (Master of the School of Oxford since 1208 1231 Ralph (Maurice Harold Macmillan 1st Earl of Stockton, OM, PC (10 February 1894 &ndash 29 December 1986 was a British Conservative Politician Christopher Francis Patten Baron Patten of Barnes, CH, PC (born 12 May 1944 in Cleveleys, Lancashire) is a prominent British Conservative Sir Edward Richard George Heath, KG, MBE (9 July 1916 &ndash 17 July 2005 often known as Ted Heath, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

The College has also produced historian and history programme presenter Dan Snow, the journalist Christopher Hitchens, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson and author and political activist Howard Marks. Daniel Robert Snow (born December 3 1978 in London, England) is a British television presenter and historian Christopher Eric Hitchens (born April 13, 1949) is a British Author, Journalist, Literary critic and American The Mayor of London is an elected politician who along with the London Assembly of 25 members is accountable for the strategic government of Greater London (see Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (born 19 June 1964 is a British Politician and Journalist. Dennis Howard Marks (born August 13 1945 in Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend, Wales) is a former Teacher, Drug smuggler

Academics and visiting academics

As with all Colleges, Balliol has a more or less permanent set of teaching staff, known as Fellows. These include both Tutorial Fellows and Professorial Fellows, many of them with international reputations (e. g. Joseph Raz, David Vines). Joseph Raz (יוסף רז born 1939) is an influential legal, moral and political Philosopher. David Vines is a Australian economist teaching at Oxford University. These are supplemented by academics on short term contracts. In addition, there are distinguished visiting international academics who come to Oxford for periods of up to a year. This is effected through the George Eastman Visiting Professorial Fellowship. The official list of current senior members of the College can be found here. There is an incomplete list of Balliol College academics past and present.

Institutes and centres

Balliol, especially the Master, Andrew Graham, played a major role in 2000 and 2001 in setting up the Oxford Internet Institute. Andrew Graham (born June 20, 1942 in Perranporth, Cornwall) is an academic and Master of Balliol College Oxford. The Oxford Internet Institute ( OII) is a multi-disciplinary institute based at the University of Oxford, England, and housed in Balliol College Oxford This was the world's first multidisciplinary research and policy centre in a university devoted to examining the impact on society of the Internet. It is a department of Oxford University, but is located in Balliol, and its Director is a Professorial Fellow of Balliol. The University of Oxford (informally "Oxford University" or simply "Oxford" located in the city of Oxford, Oxfordshire, England is the

External links

Map sources for Balliol College, Oxford
The Oxonian Review of Books (Oxford's postgraduate review, based at Balliol)

References

^ News
^ Oxford College Endowment Incomes, 1973-2006 (updated July 2007)

John Jones, Balliol College: A History, Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, revised. 2005.

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