Portal:University of Oxford/Selected biography/6

Herbert Armitage James (1844–1931) was a Welsh cleric and headmaster of three leading public schools, who ended his career by becoming President of St John's College, Oxford. After education at Jesus College and Lincoln College, Oxford, he taught at Marlborough College, then became headmaster of Rossall School, where it was said that he raised the school "to a pitch of all-round excellence which it had not known before". After suffering from health problems, he served as Dean of St Asaph for three years. He then returned to teaching, becoming headmaster of Cheltenham College and then of Rugby School, where he served to great acclaim. He left Rugby School in 1909 to become President of St John's College, Oxford, a position he held until his death 22 years later. He was a highly respected teacher and preacher, and was widely praised for his work in education. He was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour by George V in 1926. He was described by Austen Chamberlain (the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs) as "one of the greatest and most forceful characters who had ever devoted himself to education". (more...)