Current and past Classicists gathered in College on Saturday 2nd February to launch a bursary appeal in memory of Classics Tutor Don Fowler. The dinner was a celebration of Don’s pioneering contribution to the field, and the bursary is a tribute to his legacy at Jesus.
Don Fowler (1953-1999)
Don was educated at King Edward VI School in Birmingham and at Christ Church, where he earned a double first in Classics. Coming from a working-class background, he was especially passionate about broadening the subject so that young people from state schools could come to read Classics at Oxford without prior knowledge of Latin or Greek. His many contributions to Omnibus are also an example of his desire to inspire younger audiences. To honour his commitment to outreach work, the Don Fowler Bursary will be created for students at Jesus reading Classics or Classics with joint honours who fulfil the College’s merit and hardship criteria.
Don’s pioneering approach to classical studies and the legacy he left in his research of Latin literature, notably the works of Lucretius and Virgil, are woven into the fabric of Classical scholarship at Oxford today. Throughout his academic career, he was also dedicated to supporting the work of women scholars in the field, and championed women’s issues in academe. Thanks to Don, a course on Roman women was introduced to the University, as was teaching Classics from a feminist perspective. This approach was groundbreaking for its time, and helped to modernise the subject.
Don’s daughter Sophia attended the dinner and spoke fondly of her father’s time at Jesus.
The launch dinner at Jesus was attended by many of Don’s former students, some of whom contributed heartfelt video messages in support of the appeal. Don’s daughter Sophia also commented:
‘Dad would have been in his element at the dinner, and would have been very honoured at the idea of a bursary in his name so that future generations can go on to study the subject he championed at the college he loved. We’re so grateful to everyone who has donated or is thinking of donating to keep his legacy alive, even after all these years.’
College wishes to thank alumnae Leah Tomkins (Classics and Modern Languages, 1983) and Jane Manson (Classics, 1983), who were inspired to acknowledge the incredible teaching they received from Don, and have championed the launch of this bursary in his name.
Over £30,000 has now been raised towards the bursary’s endowment target of £100k. To support the Don Fowler Bursary please visit the dedicated donation page here.