Downing College, Cambridge
Encyclopedia
Downing College is a constituent college
of the University of Cambridge
. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.
in 1749, the wealth left by his grandfather, Sir George Downing
, who served both Cromwell
and Charles II
and built 10 Downing Street
(a door formerly from Number 10 is in use in the college), was applied by his will. Under this will, as he had no direct issue (he was legally separated from his wife), the family fortune was left to his cousin, Sir Jacob Downing, and if he died without heir, to three cousins in succession. If they all died without issue, the estates were to be used to found a college at Cambridge called Downing.
Sir Jacob died in 1764, and as the other named heirs had also died, the college should have come into existence then, but Sir Jacob's widow, Margaret, refused to give up the estates and the various relatives who were Sir George's legal heirs had to take costly and prolonged action in the Court of Chancery
to compel her to do so. She died in 1778 but her second husband and the son of her sister continued to resist the heirs-at-law's action until 1800 when the Court decided in favour of Sir George's will and George III granted Downing a Royal Charter, marking the official foundation of the college.
The architect William Wilkins
was commissioned by the trustees of the Downing estate, who included the Master of Clare College
and St John's College
and the Archbishops of Canterbury
and York
, to design the plan for the college. Wilkins, a disciple of the neo-classical architectural style, designed the first wholly campus-based college plan in the world based on a magnificent entrance on Downing Street
reaching back to form the largest quadrangle in Cambridge, extending to Lensfield Road
. But this was not to be.
The estate was much reduced by the suit in Chancery, and the grand plans
failed. Much of the north side of what was then the "Pembroke Leys" was sold to the University and is now home to scientific buildings ("The Downing Site
"). In fact, only limited East and West ranges were initially built, with the plans for a library and chapel on the south face of the college shelved.
The third side of the square was only completed in 1951 with the building of the college chapel. Where the fourth side would have been is now a large paddock (known simply as "The Paddock"), with many trees. Though not fully enclosed, the court formed before the Downing College is perhaps largest in Cambridge
or Oxford
(a title contested with Trinity College's
Great Court
). An urban legend amongst Cambridge students claims that Trinity
pays an undisclosed sum to the college annually with the condition that it will never build the fourth side of the square, so that Trinity may maintain the distinction of having the largest enclosed court of all colleges of Cambridge.
The college is renowned for its strong Legal and Medical tradition, the former subject being built up by the late Professor Clive Parry, his pupil and successor John Hopkins (now an emeritus fellow) and the current Director of Studies in Law and Senior Tutor, Graham Virgo
. Legal notables who have been honorary fellows of the college include the late Sir John Smith, the pre-eminent criminal law
yer of his generation, the first solicitor to be appointed to the Court of Appeal and House of Lords, Lord Collins of Mapesbury and Sir Robert Jennings
, former President of the International Court of Justice
. Downing has one of the biggest intakes in Law for undergraduate study. Although the College law society is named after Robert Rolfe, 1st Baron Cranwoth
, it is fabled that there exists a more secretive law society named the Three Kings. However, since identities of members have never been disclosed, this is doubted.
Downing students remain prominent in the University world; in the past few years Cambridge Union Presidents, Blues captains, Law and Economic Society Presidents and more have hailed from the college. It is also a politically active college, but rather with politically active members and alumni occupying different parts of the British political spectrum, from the militant left to the extreme right (Nick Griffin
, the leader of BNP
, went to Downing). In this sense, it is quite different from other colleges, as the student body of many of the politically active colleges tend to incline toward one party or another.
The college is also strong in the sports field, with its men's football team currently league champions (2008/9) and their rugby team
resident in the upper echelons of Division 1. The newly re-established women's rugby team won cuppers
in 2007. The boat club
is successful too, with the Women's first boat gaining Lents Headship of the river in the 1994 Lent Bumps
, and most recently in 2011. The men's first boat has held the headship several times in the 1980' and 1990's (for example in 1994 to 1996) while gaining the Mays headship in 1996, on each occasion recognising the tradition of "burning the boat" (using an old wooden 8 oared boat, while the rowers of the winning boat jump the flames. They both currently hold positions at or near the top in both University bumps races [Lents and Mays]. Downing College also has an active Ultimate
scene with a strong presence in intercollegiate events as well as producing a high number of university-level players.
The Masters of Downing College include:
Colleges of the University of Cambridge
This is a list of the colleges within the University of Cambridge. These colleges are the primary source of accommodation for undergraduates and graduates at the University and at the undergraduate level have responsibility for admitting students and organising their tuition. They also provide...
of the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.
History
Upon the death of Sir George Downing, 3rd BaronetSir George Downing, 3rd Baronet
Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet, KB was a politician and, through a donation in his will, the founder of Downing College, Cambridge.Gordon Goodwin, ‘Downing, Sir George, third baronet ’, rev...
in 1749, the wealth left by his grandfather, Sir George Downing
Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet
Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet was an Anglo-Irish soldier, statesman, and diplomat. Downing Street in London is named after him. As Treasury Secretary he is credited with instituting major reforms in public finance. His influence was substantial on the passage and substance of the mercantilist...
, who served both Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
and Charles II
Charles II of England
Charles II was monarch of the three kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland.Charles II's father, King Charles I, was executed at Whitehall on 30 January 1649, at the climax of the English Civil War...
and built 10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street
10 Downing Street, colloquially known in the United Kingdom as "Number 10", is the headquarters of Her Majesty's Government and the official residence and office of the First Lord of the Treasury, who is now always the Prime Minister....
(a door formerly from Number 10 is in use in the college), was applied by his will. Under this will, as he had no direct issue (he was legally separated from his wife), the family fortune was left to his cousin, Sir Jacob Downing, and if he died without heir, to three cousins in succession. If they all died without issue, the estates were to be used to found a college at Cambridge called Downing.
Sir Jacob died in 1764, and as the other named heirs had also died, the college should have come into existence then, but Sir Jacob's widow, Margaret, refused to give up the estates and the various relatives who were Sir George's legal heirs had to take costly and prolonged action in the Court of Chancery
Court of Chancery
The Court of Chancery was a court of equity in England and Wales that followed a set of loose rules to avoid the slow pace of change and possible harshness of the common law. The Chancery had jurisdiction over all matters of equity, including trusts, land law, the administration of the estates of...
to compel her to do so. She died in 1778 but her second husband and the son of her sister continued to resist the heirs-at-law's action until 1800 when the Court decided in favour of Sir George's will and George III granted Downing a Royal Charter, marking the official foundation of the college.
The architect William Wilkins
William Wilkins (architect)
William Wilkins RA was an English architect, classical scholar and archaeologist. He designed the National Gallery and University College in London, and buildings for several Cambridge colleges.-Life:...
was commissioned by the trustees of the Downing estate, who included the Master of Clare College
Clare College, Cambridge
Clare College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England.The college was founded in 1326, making it the second-oldest surviving college of the University after Peterhouse. Clare is famous for its chapel choir and for its gardens on "the Backs"...
and St John's College
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
and the Archbishops of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
and York
Archbishop of York
The Archbishop of York is a high-ranking cleric in the Church of England, second only to the Archbishop of Canterbury. He is the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of York and metropolitan of the Province of York, which covers the northern portion of England as well as the Isle of Man...
, to design the plan for the college. Wilkins, a disciple of the neo-classical architectural style, designed the first wholly campus-based college plan in the world based on a magnificent entrance on Downing Street
Downing Street, Cambridge
Downing Street is a street in central Cambridge, England. It runs between Pembroke Street and Tennis Court Road at the western end and a T-junction with St Andrew's Street at the eastern end. Corn Exchange Street and St Tibbs Row lead off to the north...
reaching back to form the largest quadrangle in Cambridge, extending to Lensfield Road
Lensfield Road
Lensfield Road is a road in southeast central Cambridge, England. It runs between the junction of Trumpington Street and Trumpington Road to the west and the junction of Regent Street and Hills Road to the west...
. But this was not to be.
The estate was much reduced by the suit in Chancery, and the grand plans
PLANS
People for Legal and Non-Sectarian Schools is an organization based in California in the United States which campaigns against the public funding of Waldorf methods charter schools alleging they violate the United States Constitution's separation of church and state...
failed. Much of the north side of what was then the "Pembroke Leys" was sold to the University and is now home to scientific buildings ("The Downing Site
Downing Site
The Downing Site is a major site of the University of Cambridge, located in the centre of the city of Cambridge, England, on Downing Street and Tennis Court Road, adjacent to Downing College. The Downing Site is the larger and newer of two city-centre science sites of the university...
"). In fact, only limited East and West ranges were initially built, with the plans for a library and chapel on the south face of the college shelved.
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
or Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
(a title contested with Trinity College's
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
Great Court
Great Court
There are two places called Great Court, both in the United Kingdom:* Trinity Great Court at Trinity College, Cambridge, and* Queen Elizabeth II Great Court at the British Museum, London.It is also the name of one of the ruins of ancient Baalbek....
). An urban legend amongst Cambridge students claims that Trinity
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
pays an undisclosed sum to the college annually with the condition that it will never build the fourth side of the square, so that Trinity may maintain the distinction of having the largest enclosed court of all colleges of Cambridge.
The college is renowned for its strong Legal and Medical tradition, the former subject being built up by the late Professor Clive Parry, his pupil and successor John Hopkins (now an emeritus fellow) and the current Director of Studies in Law and Senior Tutor, Graham Virgo
Graham Virgo
Graham Virgo is a fellow of, Director of Studies in Law at and Senior Tutor at Downing College, Cambridge and a Professor in Law at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of works on the Law of Restitution and the Criminal Law....
. Legal notables who have been honorary fellows of the college include the late Sir John Smith, the pre-eminent criminal law
Criminal law
Criminal law, is the body of law that relates to crime. It might be defined as the body of rules that defines conduct that is not allowed because it is held to threaten, harm or endanger the safety and welfare of people, and that sets out the punishment to be imposed on people who do not obey...
yer of his generation, the first solicitor to be appointed to the Court of Appeal and House of Lords, Lord Collins of Mapesbury and Sir Robert Jennings
Robert Jennings
Robert Jennings may refer to:* Robert Yewdall Jennings , British jurist* Robert R. Jennings, president of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University* Robert Jennings , English cricketer...
, former President of the International Court of Justice
International Court of Justice
The International Court of Justice is the primary judicial organ of the United Nations. It is based in the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands...
. Downing has one of the biggest intakes in Law for undergraduate study. Although the College law society is named after Robert Rolfe, 1st Baron Cranwoth
Robert Rolfe, 1st Baron Cranworth
Robert Monsey Rolfe, 1st Baron Cranworth PC was a British lawyer and Liberal politician. He twice served as Lord High Chancellor of Great Britain.-Background and education:...
, it is fabled that there exists a more secretive law society named the Three Kings. However, since identities of members have never been disclosed, this is doubted.
Downing students remain prominent in the University world; in the past few years Cambridge Union Presidents, Blues captains, Law and Economic Society Presidents and more have hailed from the college. It is also a politically active college, but rather with politically active members and alumni occupying different parts of the British political spectrum, from the militant left to the extreme right (Nick Griffin
Nick Griffin
Nicholas John "Nick" Griffin is a British politician, chairman of the British National Party and Member of the European Parliament for North West England....
, the leader of BNP
British National Party
The British National Party is a British far-right political party formed as a splinter group from the National Front by John Tyndall in 1982...
, went to Downing). In this sense, it is quite different from other colleges, as the student body of many of the politically active colleges tend to incline toward one party or another.
The college is also strong in the sports field, with its men's football team currently league champions (2008/9) and their rugby team
DCRUFC
Downing College Rugby Union Football Club is the official Rugby Union team of Downing College, one of the constituent colleges of Cambridge University...
resident in the upper echelons of Division 1. The newly re-established women's rugby team won cuppers
Cuppers
Cuppers is a term for intercollegiate sporting competitions at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. The term comes from the word "cup" and is an example of the Oxford "-er". Each sport holds only one cuppers competition each year, which is open to all colleges. Most cuppers competitions use...
in 2007. The boat club
Downing College Boat Club
Downing College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Downing College, Cambridge. Despite the college admitting undergraduates in 1821, Downing's boat club did not form until 1863, with their first race being in the spring of 1864...
is successful too, with the Women's first boat gaining Lents Headship of the river in the 1994 Lent Bumps
Bumps race
A bumps race is a form of rowing race in which a number of boats chase each other in single file, each boat attempting to catch and "bump" the boat in front without being caught by the boat behind....
, and most recently in 2011. The men's first boat has held the headship several times in the 1980' and 1990's (for example in 1994 to 1996) while gaining the Mays headship in 1996, on each occasion recognising the tradition of "burning the boat" (using an old wooden 8 oared boat, while the rowers of the winning boat jump the flames. They both currently hold positions at or near the top in both University bumps races [Lents and Mays]. Downing College also has an active Ultimate
Ultimate (sport)
Ultimate is a sport played with a 175 gram flying disc. The object of the game is to score points by passing the disc to a player in the opposing end zone, similar to an end zone in American football or rugby...
scene with a strong presence in intercollegiate events as well as producing a high number of university-level players.
Masters of Downing
- Admiral Sir Herbert RichmondHerbert RichmondAdmiral Sir Herbert William Richmond KCB was a prominent naval officer, who also served as Vere Harmsworth Professor of Imperial and Naval History at Cambridge University and Master of Downing College, Cambridge...
(1934–1946) - Lionel Ernest Howard Whitby (1947–1957)
- Keith Guthrie (1957–1972)
- Sir Morien Bedford MorganMorien MorganSir Morien Bedford Morgan CB FRS, was a noted Welsh aeronautical engineer, sometimes known as "the Father Of Concorde"...
(1972–1978) - John Butterfield, Baron ButterfieldJohn Butterfield, Baron ButterfieldWilliam John Hughes Butterfield, Baron Butterfield, OBE, FRCP was a leading British medical researcher, clinician and administrator....
(1978–1987) - Peter MathiasPeter MathiasPeter Mathias is a British economic historian. He attended Colston's School and Bristol Grammar School where he became interested in history. In December 1945, he applied for a scholarship at King's College, Cambridge; instead he won an Exhibition at Jesus College, Cambridge during Summer 1946...
(1987–1995) - Sir David KingDavid King (scientist)Sir David Anthony King FRS is the Director of the Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment at the University of Oxford, Director of Research in Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge, Director of the Collegio Carlo Alberto, Chancellor of the University of Liverpool and a senior...
(1995–2000) - Stephen FleetStephen FleetStephen George Fleet was a Master of Downing College, Cambridge, the Cambridge University Registrary and a researcher in mineral sciences and crystallography....
(2001–2003) - Barry EverittBarry Everitt (scientist)Barry Everitt ScD FRS FMedSci is Master of Downing College, Cambridge and a Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.He graduated in Zoology and Psychology at Hull University, received a Ph.D...
(2003 -)
Notable alumni
- Michael AptedMichael AptedMichael David Apted, CMG is an English director, producer, writer and actor. He is one of the most prolific British film directors of his generation but is best known for his work on the Up Series of documentaries and the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough.On 29 June 2003 he was elected...
, Director - Michael Atherton, England cricket player
- Andrew Tunningley, Former Saracens and England Rugby Player, CEO Practise Leader of Aon Hewitt
- Martin BakerMartin BakerMartin Baker may refer to:*Martin-Baker Aircraft Co. Ltd*Martin Baker , Scottish footballer*Martin Baker...
, Master of Music, Westminster CathedralWestminster CathedralWestminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster... - Richard BakerRichard Baker (UK businessman)Richard Baker is the former Chief Operating Officer of Asda Stores Ltd. and CEO of Boots Group. He is currently Chairman of the European Division of Groupe Aeroplan, which owns and runs the Nectar Loyalty Programme in the UK...
, former CEO of Boots Group - Richard BarbrookRichard BarbrookRichard Barbrook is an academic in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages at the University of Westminster.-Education:Barbrook studied for a BA in Social & Political Science at Downing College, University of Cambridge, a MA in Political Behaviour at University of Essex and a...
, Lecturer at University of WestminsterUniversity of WestminsterThe University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent... - Quentin BlakeQuentin BlakeQuentin Saxby Blake, CBE, FCSD, RDI, is an English cartoonist, illustrator and children's author, well-known for his collaborations with writer Roald Dahl.-Education:...
, Author and illustrator - John BlofeldJohn BlofeldJohn Eaton Calthorpe Blofeld was a British writer on Asian thought and religion, especially Taoism and Chinese Buddhism.-Early life:Blofeld was born in London in 1913...
, TaoistTaoismTaoism refers to a philosophical or religious tradition in which the basic concept is to establish harmony with the Tao , which is the mechanism of everything that exists...
and BuddhistBuddhismBuddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
author - Giles BrindleyGiles BrindleySir Giles Skey Brindley, GBE , is a British physiologist, musicologist and composer.He made important contributions to the treatment of erectile dysfunction, and is perhaps best known for an unusual scientific presentation at the 1983 Las Vegas meeting of the American Urological Association, where...
, Psychologist - J. C. D. ClarkJ. C. D. ClarkJonathan Charles Douglas Clark is a British historian of both British and American history. He received his undergraduate degreee at Downing College, Cambridge. Having previously held posts at Peterhouse, Cambridge and All Souls College, Oxford into 1996, he has since held the Joyce C...
, Historian - John CleeseJohn CleeseJohn Marwood Cleese is an English actor, comedian, writer, and film producer. He achieved success at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and as a scriptwriter and performer on The Frost Report...
, Actor - Geoffrey CoxGeoffrey CoxCharles Geoffrey Cox, QC, MP , is a British politician and barrister. A member of the Conservative Party, he is currently a Member of Parliament representing the constituency of Torridge and West Devon.-Early life:...
QC MP, Barrister and British Conservative politician - Lawrence CollinsLawrence CollinsLawrence Antony Collins, Baron Collins of Mapesbury, PC , is a British judge and former Justice of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom. He was also appointed to the Court of Final Appeal of Hong Kong on April 11, 2011 as a non-permanent judges from other common law jurisdictions...
, Judge - Rob CrillyRob CrillyRob Crilly is a British/Irish freelance journalist and author. He was educated at The Judd School, Tonbridge, and read Natural Sciences at Downing College, Cambridge....
, Journalist and author - Terrance DicksTerrance DicksTerrance Dicks is an English writer, best known for his work in television and for writing a large number of popular children's books during the 1970s and 80s.- Early career :...
, Author - Arnold Goodman, Lawyer
- Hari Singh GourHari Singh GourHari Singh Gour , also known as Sir Hari Singh Gour and Dr. Hari Singh Gour, was a distinguished lawyer, jurist, educationist, social reformer, poet, and novelist. He was one of the greatest visionaries of education of this century on the Indian subcontinent and even on a global scale...
, Lawyer and Jurist - Nick GriffinNick GriffinNicholas John "Nick" Griffin is a British politician, chairman of the British National Party and Member of the European Parliament for North West England....
, BNP leader - Richard Langton Gregory, Experimental Psychologist (neuropsychology, visual perception), author of Eye and Brain (1966)
- Andy HamiltonAndy HamiltonAndrew Neil Hamilton is a British comedian, game show panellist, television director, comedy screenwriter and radio dramatist.-Early life:...
, Comedian, director and critic - Philip William WheeldonPhilip William WheeldonPhilip William Wheeldon OBE was the fourth Bishop of Whitby, and subsequently twice Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman.-Life:...
(OBE), Bishop of WhitbyBishop of WhitbyThe Bishop of Whitby is an episcopal title used by a suffragan bishop of the Church of England Diocese of York, in the Province of York, England.The title takes its name after the town of Whitby in North Yorkshire...
and Bishop of Kimberley and KurumanBishop of Kimberley and KurumanThe Bishop of Kimberley and Kuruman is the Bishop of the Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman in the Anglican Church of Southern Africa, which encompasses the area around Kimberley and Kuruman and overlaps the Northern Cape Province and North West Province of South Africa. The current bishop is the Rt... - Hildebrand Wolfe HerveyH. W. HarveyDr Hildebrand Wolfe Harvey CBE FRS was an English marine biologist.-Background:...
, Marine biologist - Hamish HendersonHamish HendersonHamish Scott Henderson, was a Scottish poet, songwriter, soldier, and intellectual....
, Scots poet - Philip HobsbaumPhilip HobsbaumPhilip Dennis Hobsbaum was a British teacher, poet and critic.-Life:Hobsbaum was born into a Polish Jewish family in London, and brought up in Bradford, in Yorkshire. He read English at Downing College, Cambridge, where he was taught and heavily influenced by F. R. Leavis...
, Poet - David HolbrookDavid HolbrookDavid Kenneth Holbrook was a British writer, poet and academic. From 1989 he was an Emeritus Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge.-Life:...
, Poet, author, critic - Jan HruskaJan HruškaJan Hruška is a former professional road bicycle racer from the Czech Republic, who turned professional in 1996. Hruska entered the 2000 Summer Olympics, but was removed after testing for a doping product.-Teams:...
, Co-founder of *SophosSophosSophos is a developer and vendor of security software and hardware, including anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, network access control, encryption software and data loss prevention for desktops, servers, email systems and other network gateways.... - Howard JacobsonHoward JacobsonHoward Jacobson is a Man Booker Prize-winning British Jewish author and journalist. He is best known for writing comic novels that often revolve around the dilemmas of British Jewish characters.-Background:...
, Novelist - Michael BaxandallMichael BaxandallMichael David Kighley Baxandall, FBA was a British-born art historian and a professor emeritus of Art History at University of California, Berkeley...
, Art Historian - John R. F. JeffreysJohn R. F. JeffreysJohn R.F. Jeffreys was a British mathematician and World War II codebreaker.A research fellow at Downing College, Cambridge, Jeffreys joined the codebreaking efforts at Bletchley Park in September 1939 alongside fellow Cambridge mathematicians Gordon Welchman, with whom he had previously worked...
, Mathematician, WWII codebreaker at Bletchley ParkBletchley ParkBletchley Park is an estate located in the town of Bletchley, in Buckinghamshire, England, which currently houses the National Museum of Computing... - Gareth John Jones, Barrister, politician, writer
- John Leslie GreenJohn Leslie GreenJohn Leslie Green VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Early life:...
VC - Stan Kelly-BootleStan Kelly-BootleStan Kelly-Bootle is an author of nine books and numerous magazine articles, and songwriter. His most famous song is the Liverpool Lullaby , which Cilla Black recorded in 1969 as the B-side to her pop hit Conversations...
, Pioneer computer scientist - Martin KempMartin Kemp (art historian)Martin Kemp is Emeritus Research Professor in the History of Art at Oxford University. He has written and broadcast extensively on imagery in art and science from the Renaissance to the present day...
, Art historian - Clive KingClive KingDavid Clive King is an English author best known for his children's book Stig of the Dump . He served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve in the last years of World War II and then worked for the British Council in a wide range of overseas postings, from which he later drew inspiration for his...
, Author - Ray LankesterRay LankesterSir E. Ray Lankester KCB, FRS was a British zoologist, born in London.An invertebrate zoologist and evolutionary biologist, he held chairs at University College London and Oxford University. He was the third Director of the Natural History Museum, and was awarded the Copley Medal of the Royal...
, zoologist - F. R. LeavisF. R. LeavisFrank Raymond "F. R." Leavis CH was an influential British literary critic of the early-to-mid-twentieth century. He taught for nearly his entire career at Downing College, Cambridge.-Early life:...
, Famous for his practical criticism, compared to New Critics - E.O.E. PereiraE.O.E. PereiraVidya Jyothi E.O. Eustace Pereira was a Sri Lankan Engineer and Academic. He was the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ceylon...
, Engineer - David ListerDavid Lister (Origami Historian)David Lister is an eminent British origami historian.He was a founder member of the British Origami Society, writing the constitution and was its president from 1998 to 2002.-Early life:...
, Origami historian - Malcolm MacDonaldMalcolm MacDonald (music critic)Malcolm MacDonald is a British author, mainly writing about music. He was born in Nairn, Scotland in 1948 and educated at the Royal High School, Edinburgh and Downing College, Cambridge; he has lived in England since 1971, first in London and since 1992 in Gloucestershire.He has written several...
, writer on music - Mark MooreMark Moore (Clifton College)Mark J Moore is currently the headmaster of Clifton College in Bristol - he succeeded Stephen Spurr in 2005. Clifton College is a co-educational independent school and has around 720 children in the Upper School of which about a third are girls.Moore was educated at Wolverhampton Grammar School...
, headmaster Clifton CollegeClifton CollegeClifton College is a co-educational independent school in Clifton, Bristol, England, founded in 1862. In its early years it was notable for emphasising science in the curriculum, and for being less concerned with social elitism, e.g. by admitting day-boys on equal terms and providing a dedicated... - Ed MayoEd MayoEd Mayo is Secretary General of Co-operatives UK, the UK trade association for co-operatives. He is the former Chief Executive of the British National Consumer Council and CEO of the NCC's successor, Consumer Focus.-Education:...
, Economist - Wilfrid MellersWilfrid MellersWilfrid Howard Mellers OBE was an English music critic, musicologist and composer.-Early life:Born in Leamington, Warwickshire, Mellers was educated at the local Leamington College and later won a scholarship to Downing College, Cambridge, where he read English. At Cambridge, he formed a...
, Music critic and composer - Michael NeubertMichael NeubertSir Michael Jon Neubert was Conservative MP for Romford from 1974 until 1997. His loss in the election that year was considered something of surprise....
, British politician - Thandie NewtonThandie NewtonThandiwe Nashita "Thandie" Newton is a British actress. She has appeared in a number of British and American films, including The Pursuit of Happyness, Mission: Impossible II, Crash, Run, Fatboy, Run and W....
, Actress - Trevor NunnTrevor NunnSir Trevor Robert Nunn, CBE is an English theatre, film and television director. Nunn has been the Artistic Director for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal National Theatre, and, currently, the Theatre Royal, Haymarket. He has directed musicals and dramas for the stage, as well as opera...
, Theatre and film director - Iain OvertonIain OvertonIain Overton is a British documentary maker born on 3 August, 1973. He has worked for the BBC and ITN and worked in over 85 countries around the world....
, Documentary maker - Tim ParksTim ParksTim Parks is a British novelist, translator and author.-Life:Tim Parks was born in Manchester in 1954, the son of a clergyman. He grew up in Finchley , London and was educated at Cambridge University and Harvard. He has lived near Verona in Italy since 1981...
, writer - John PendryJohn PendrySir John Brian Pendry, FRS FInstP is an English theoretical physicist known for his research into refractive indexes and creation of the first practical "Invisibility Cloak"...
, Theoretical physicist - Justin PollardJustin PollardJustin David Pollard is a British historian, television producer and writer.-Biography:Pollard is a popular historian and screenwriter working in the field of feature films, television and print...
, Historian, writer - Brian RedheadBrian RedheadBrian Leonard Redhead was a British author, journalist and broadcaster. He was probably best known as a co-presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 which he worked on from 1975 until 1993, shortly before his death...
, Author, journalist, broadcaster - Gordon ReeceGordon ReeceSir James Gordon Reece was a British journalist and television producer who worked as a political strategist for Margaret Thatcher during the 1979 general election which led to her victory over then prime minister James Callaghan...
, journalist, TV producer & political strategist - Derek Robinson, novelist, rugby official
- Graham SavageGraham SavageSir Graham Savage CB was an English civil servant who largely invented the concept of comprehensive schools and originated the phrase.-Early life:...
, Education Officer for London County Council, influential advocate for Comprehensive Schools - John Arthur Todd, geometer
- Annie VernonAnnie VernonAnnabel Morwenna Vernon is an English rower.She was educated at Wadebridge School, Downing College, Cambridge and King's College London ....
, World rowing champion - William Philip SchreinerWilliam Philip SchreinerWilliam Philip Schreiner was a barrister, politician, statesman and Prime Minister of the Cape Colony during the Second Boer War.-Career:...
, Prime Minister of the Cape ColonyCape ColonyThe Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take...
during the South African War - Leigh TurnerLeigh TurnerLeigh Turner is a British civil servant who has been British ambassador to Ukraine, resident in Kiev, since 14 June 2008. As ambassador, he writes a regular blog in English and Ukrainian and publishes interviews and articles on UK/Ukraine relations....
, Diplomat - Michael WinnerMichael WinnerMichael Robert Winner is a British film director and producer, active in both Europe and the United States, also known as a food critic for the Sunday Times.-Early life and early career :...
, Film director and producer, restaurant critic - Jim WallaceJim WallaceThe Rt. Hon. James Robert Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness, PC, QC , is a British politician, currently a life peer in the House of Lords and the Advocate General for Scotland...
, Former Deputy First Minister of ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
Fellows
See also :Category:Fellows of Downing College, Cambridge- Barry EverittBarry Everitt (scientist)Barry Everitt ScD FRS FMedSci is Master of Downing College, Cambridge and a Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge.He graduated in Zoology and Psychology at Hull University, received a Ph.D...
, MasterMaster (college)A Master is the title of the head of some colleges and other educational institutions. This applies especially at some colleges and institutions at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge .- See also :* Master A Master (or in female form Mistress) is the title of the head of some...
, Professor of Behavioural NeuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,... - Peter Duffett-Smith, Vice Master and Senior Fellow, Reader in Experimental Radio Physics
- Peter Evans, Tutor, Principal Investigator, Babraham Institute
- Richard Stibbs, President, PraelectorPraelectorA praelector is a traditional role at the colleges of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. The role differs between the two universities.At Cambridge, a praelector is a fellow of a college...
, Fellows' Steward and Secretary to the Governing Body, University Senior Computer Officer - Paul MillettPaul MillettPaul Millett is a British senior lecturer in Classics at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Downing College, Cambridge. At Downing, Millett is the Director of Studies for Classics and serves as Admissions Tutor for arts subjects....
, Collins Fellow and Tutor for Admissions, University Senior Lecturer in Classics - Bill Adams, Professorial Fellow in the Geography of Conservation and Development
- Bill Clyne, Professorial Fellow in the Mechanics of Materials
- Cathy Phillips, R J Owens Fellow in English
- Graham VirgoGraham VirgoGraham Virgo is a fellow of, Director of Studies in Law at and Senior Tutor at Downing College, Cambridge and a Professor in Law at the University of Cambridge. He is the author of works on the Law of Restitution and the Criminal Law....
, Senior Tutor, Professorial Fellow in English Private Law - John McCombie, Tutor, Reader in Applied Economics (Department of Land Economy)
- David Wales, Professorial Fellow in Chemical Physics
- Trevor RobbinsTrevor RobbinsProfessor Trevor Robbins FRS FMedSci is Head of the Department of Experimental Psychology at the University of Cambridge, and a fellow of Downing College, Cambridge....
, Professorial Fellow in Cognitive NeuroscienceNeuroscienceNeuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system. Traditionally, neuroscience has been seen as a branch of biology. However, it is currently an interdisciplinary science that collaborates with other fields such as chemistry, computer science, engineering, linguistics, mathematics,... - Sarah Bray, Professorial Fellow in Developmental Biology
- Stafford Withington, Professorial Fellow in Analytical Physics
- Chris Haniff, Professorial Fellow in Physics
- Nick Coleman, Verjee Fellow, Group Leader, Medical Research Council Cancer Cell Unit
- Adam Ledgeway, Tutor, University Senior Lecturer in Linguistics
- Ian James, Tutor for Graduates, University Lecturer in French
- Susan Lintott, Senior Bursar
- Zoe Barber, University Senior Lecturer in Materials Science
- Sophia Demoulini, Fellow in Mathematics
- Ian RobertsIan Roberts (linguist)Ian G. Roberts is Professor of Linguistics at the University of Cambridge and a fellow of Downing College, Cambridge....
, Professorial Fellow in Linguistics - Michael Bravo, University Senior Lecturer at the Scott Polar Research Institute
- David Pratt, Archivist and Keeper of Art and Artefacts, Fellow in History
- David FeldmanDavid Feldman (academic)David Feldman is the Rouse Ball Professor of English Law at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Downing College, Cambridge, as well as the author and editor of several books on British law. He was formerly the Acting Director of the Centre of Public Law and since early 2006 has been...
, Professorial Fellow in English Law (Rouse BallRouse Ball Professor of English LawThe Rouse Ball Professorship of English Law is one of the senior professorships in English Law at the University of Cambridge, and was founded in 1927 by a bequest from the mathematician Rouse Ball.-Rouse Ball Professors:* Percy Henry Winfield...
) - Liping Xu, University Lecturer in Turbomachinery
- Paul Barker, University Lecturer in Chemistry
- Guy Williams, Tutor for Admissions (Science), Senior Research Associate, Wolfson Brain Imaging Centre
- Marcus Tomalin, Fellow Librarian, Tutor and Assistant Tutor for Admissions, University Research Associate in Engineering
- Jay Stock, Tutor, University Lecturer in Human Evolution and Development
- Natalia Mora-Sitja, Tutor, University Lecturer in Economic History
- Kathy Liddell, Herchel Smith University Lecturer in Intellectual Property Law
- Bill O'Neill, Reader in Laser Engineering
- Amy Goymour, University Lecturer and Hopkins Parry Fellow in Law
- Adriana Pesci, Senior Treasurer of the Amalgamation Club, Darley Fellow in Mathematics
- Amy Milton, University Lecturer in Experimental Psychology
- Brigitte Steger, University Lecturer in Japanese Studies
- Jonathan Trevor, University Lecturer in Human Resources & Organisations
- Ken McNamara, DeanDean (education)In academic administration, a dean is a person with significant authority over a specific academic unit, or over a specific area of concern, or both...
, University Lecturer in Earth Sciences - Dick Taplin, Junior Bursar
- Jie Li, University Lecturer in Fluid Dynamics
- Subha Mukherji, Fellow in English
- Adam Ramadan, Fellow in Geography
- Keith Eyeons, Chaplain and Fellow in Theology
- Rob Harle, Fellow in Computer Science
- Tim Burton, Fellow in Pharmacology
- Jamie Alcock, Fellow in Economics
- Jimena Berni, Henslow Research Fellow in Zoology
- Marta Correia, Fellow in Biological Sciences
- Paul Linden, Professorial Fellow in Fluid Dynamics
- Alicia Hinarejos, University Lecturer in EU Law
- Gabrielle Bennett, Development Director
- Joe Webster, Graham Robertson Research Fellow in Anthropology