27 Facts About Benjamin Jowett

Benjamin Jowett was an English tutor and administrative reformer in the University of Oxford, a theologian, an Anglican cleric, and a translator of Plato and Thucydides.

Benjamin Jowett's father was a furrier originally from a Yorkshire family that, for three generations, had been supporters of the Evangelical movement in the Church of England, and an author of a metrical translation of the Old Testament Psalms.

At the age of 12, Benjamin Jowett was placed on the foundation of St Paul's School where he soon gained a reputation as a precocious classical scholar.

Benjamin Jowett began his studies in 1836, and was quickly recognised as one of the leading Oxford dons of his generation, made a Fellow while still an undergraduate in 1838; he graduated with first-class honours in 1839.

The controversy caused Benjamin Jowett to withdraw from High Table at college to lodgings in Broad Street.

From 1846 onwards, Benjamin Jowett threw himself into this movement, which in 1848 became general amongst the younger and more thoughtful fellows, until it took effect in the commission of 1850 and the act of 1854.

Benjamin Jowett then concentrated on theology: he spent the summers of 1845 and 1846 in Germany with Stanley, and became an eager student of German criticism and speculation.

Benjamin Jowett's views became more than radical, they were heretical, which severely curtailed prospects for advancement within the walls of the conformity of Anglican Oxford.

Benjamin Jowett found a friend and correspondent in Florence Nightingale, but whether there was any romantic attachment is unclear.

Benjamin Jowett was a father figure, paternalistic towards a deeply conservative woman, religious, self-censoring and strict in her conduct.

Benjamin Jowett had two brothers, William and Alfred who had served and died in India, and he never ceased to take a deep and practical interest in Indian affairs.

Benjamin Jowett was an eminence grise of liberal theology but could be somewhat chaotic in his recollections.

Benjamin Jowett was appointed to the Regius Professorship of Greek in autumn 1855.

Benjamin Jowett had been a tutor of Balliol and an Anglican cleric since 1842 and had devoted himself to the work of tuition: his pupils became his friends for life.

Benjamin Jowett discerned their capabilities and taught them to know themselves.

Benjamin Jowett was one of the recipients of Nightingale's three volume work Suggestions for Thought for proof-reading and criticism.

Benjamin Jowett made friends with the Freemantles, and the Verneys at Claydons.

The rational theologian in Benjamin Jowett warned Nightingale to ignore those "on the wrong tack".

Benjamin Jowett was a compassionate man, visiting the selfless Hilary Bonham Carter in May 1865, administering his own brand of prayer and kindness.

Benjamin Jowett spoke upon this question at an important meeting in London on 10 June 1864, which laid the ground for the Universities Tests Act 1871.

In connection with the Greek professorship, Benjamin Jowett had undertaken a work on Plato which grew into a complete translation of the Dialogues with introductory essays, for which Florence Nightingale's criticism was gratefully received.

Benjamin Jowett showed no interest in offering his own opinion on God or theology in his translations, in several editions, of Plato's works.

Benjamin Jowett attributed this arrangement to his liberal friend Robert Lowe, afterwards Lord Sherbrooke.

Benjamin Jowett still knew the undergraduates individually, and watched their progress with a vigilant eye.

Benjamin Jowett continued the practice, which he had commenced in 1848, of taking with him a small party of undergraduates in vacation time, and working with them in one of his favourite haunts, at Askrigg in Wensleydale, or Tummel Bridget or later at West Malvern.

Benjamin Jowett is buried in St Sepulchre's Cemetery off Walton Street in Oxford.

An extensive bibliography of works by and about Benjamin Jowett has been produced by Prof.