St John’s College

Hidden in plain sight on St Giles’, St John’s College holds a wealth of secrets. St John’s College wasn’t always the grand institution you see today. It began life in 1555 on the grounds of a former Cistercian college, St Bernard’s. Sir Thomas White, a wealthy merchant tailor and former Lord Mayor of London, saw potential in these abandoned buildings. He envisioned a new college, a place to nurture scholars and bolster the Counter-Reformation. The first students moved into St John’s College in 1557. White’s background heavily influenced the college. He dedicated it to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of both tailors and the Merchant Taylors’ Company. St John’s College became the first Oxford college founded by a merchant, breaking the tradition of churchmen establishing these institutions. White’s connection to the Merchant Taylors’ Company also shaped its early student body, with many places reserved for boys from the Merchant Taylors’ School. This close relationship lasted for centuries. The college flourished thanks to White’s initial endowments and shrewd property investments. In the 19th century, St John’s became one of the wealthiest colleges, thanks to its extensive land holdings in Oxford. While initially known for producing Anglican clergymen, St John’s College also built a reputation for law and medicine. Its alumni include prominent figures like Archbishop Laud and Abdul Rasul, one of the first Bengalis to earn a Bachelor of Civil Law at Oxford. Over the centuries, St John’s College transformed into a hub for literary giants. The halls were graced by the likes of A.E. Housman, Robert Graves, Kingsley Amis, Philip Larkin, and even former Prime Minister Tony Blair. As you stand before St John’s College today, remember the legacy of Sir Thomas White. His vision transformed an abandoned monastery into a vibrant center of learning, a testament to the enduring power of education and smart investment.