Jesus College has launched a fundraising campaign to create a new undergraduate bursary in History, in memory of Dr John Walsh.
Dr John Walsh came to Oxford in 1958, and was a Fellow and Tutor in History at Jesus until 1992. He was a distinguished scholar, internationally regarded as one of the leading authorities of eighteenth-century Christianity and particularly of Methodism. His publications include seminal works on John Wesley and the early years of the Methodist movement. During his years as a Fellow, John was also at the heart of College life, taking on roles that included Junior Dean, Fellow Librarian, and Editor of the Jesus College Record. His love of College deeply informed these roles.
Dr John Walsh in his study at Jesus College, circa 1970. Photograph from Frances Walsh and Walsh family.
As a Tutorial Fellow, John was outstanding. His courteous concern for all of his students was always paramount. Former undergraduate historians credit him with opening their minds to whole new ways of thinking about History and about the world, and it was well known that he was a meticulous supervisor of his graduate students. Beyond his own subject, John gave support and friendship to other Jesus students, among whom he is still remembered with great affection. In retirement he remained an active member of College, first as a Senior Research Fellow until 1994, and then as an Emeritus Fellow.
John was internationally regarded as one of the leading authorities of eighteenth-century Christianity and particularly of Methodism. Photograph from Frances Walsh and Walsh family.
The Dr John Walsh Bursary appeal aims to raise £100,000 to endow the fund in perpetuity. The annual Bursary will provide vital cost of living support for a financially-disadvantaged undergraduate historian when they first join College, and it is hoped that funding will be available for an undergraduate starting in Michaelmas 2023. The College has already received a generous lead gift of £20,000 to help start the campaign.
Dr Brittany Wellner James, Fellow and Director of Development, says, “John will be remembered as a brilliant scholar, full of good humour, modest charm and wit, a great teacher, and as a dear friend of College. Establishing a new means-tested undergraduate bursary in History in John’s name would be a fitting tribute to his teaching legacy at Jesus”.
A gift to the appeal can be made online by clicking here. If you would like more information, please contact the Development Office directly by email to alumni@jesus.ox.ac.uk.