John Henry Brookes

John Henry Brookes, the University’s spiritual founder, died 40 years ago today. Join us as we look back at his extraordinary life and achievements.

In 1928 John Henry Brookes arrived in Oxford as the newly appointed head of the School of Arts. Starting with two staff and 90 students, he went on to expand and transform the institution, and with it Oxford’s educational landscape.

His commitment to ‘education for livelihood’ was behind his vision for the School then, and it remains at the heart of Oxford Brookes’ ethos to this day. Our newest building bears his name in ongoing recognition of this legacy.

To learn more about John Henry Brookes, from how he cycled between 19 teaching locations to why he attended 17 retirement parties and how he led the way to Headington’s ‘promised land’, browse a selection of articles from our interactive timeline. 

For the full story, Bryan Brown’s new biography of John Henry Brookes can be purchased online from Amazon and Blackwell’s, and is in stock at both the Brookes and Oxford branches of Blackwell’s.