John-Prestwich-Fellowship-in-History-Appeal

THE QUEEN’S COLLEGE
THE JOHN PRESTWICH
FELLOWSHIP APPEAL
Securing the future of History at Queen’s

JOHN O. PRESTWICH (1914-2003)
John O. Prestwich, Fellow and Prælector between 1937 and
1981, is best known to medievalists for his seminal work on English
politics, government, and military organisations of the twelfth and
thirteenth centuries and more widely for his distinguished war-time
service. John inspired the careers of several leading medievalists.
And generations of Queen’s undergraduates will remember him as
a great teacher, whose insistence on attention to primary evidence
trained countless students to set high critical standards in other walks
of life. It is this tradition we aim to safeguard.

HISTORY AT QUEEN’S TODAY
Queen’s currently has 42 History and Joint School
undergraduates, with 14 in their final year, and
6 students enrolled as postgraduates.
The College normally admits 12 undergraduate
students each year for History and Joint School
courses.
All History courses last three years, although History
and Modern Languages, which is particularly strong at
Queen’s, normally requires an additional year abroad
between the second and final years.
“History, for me, is fundamentally about trying to know
and understand humans from whom we are irreversibly
separated by time. Like any serious encounter with humanity,
History confronts us with complexity, contradiction,
disappointment and occasional delight. What is wonderful
about the practice of History here at Queen’s is that, in teaching
and in research, it embraces the subject’s focus on humanity in all its messy
and varied individuality.”
Dr Conor O’Brien (DPhil Theology, 2012), Fellow in History
“The tutorial system is the hallmark of an Oxford education –
providing space for both student and tutor to explore in-depth
complex issues, bringing History to life. At a time when the
teaching of Humanities is under threat, it is wonderful to know
Queen’s’ commitment to the teaching of History remains.”
Dr Meleisa Ono-George, Brittenden Fellow in History

SUPPORTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Retaining key teaching posts is one of the College’s ongoing priorities, and
this entails considerable costs which the College must meet each year.
Permanently-endowed Tutorial Fellowships provide security for the future of
the tutorial system which lies at the heart of the academic excellence and
overall student experience at Queen’s.
The power of regular giving
We hope many more of our History & Joint Schools Old Members will join
those already supporting the Prestwich Fellowship Fund, by making a
regular (recurring) gift to this special appeal. Regular giving is at the core
of the tradition of giving back that connects current students with Queen’s
Old Members of every generation. Regular gifts really add up! Every gift
makes a difference – we can do this together.
“History students at Queen’s benefit
from interactive and stimulating tutorials,
which allow for a level of critical thinking
and analysis that enables students
to become increasingly confident in
their work and ideas. But there are
also so many opportunities at College
to socialise with a close-knit group of
historians. Now finishing my final year,
Queen’s has pushed me to exceed my
own academic expectations, and shown
me the difference a supportive and
varied cohort can make to a student’s
learning experience.”
Chanté Price (History, 2020)

WE NEED YOUR HELP
Queen’s has a long teaching tradition in History. There are currently two fulltime
History Fellows. One of these fellowships – the Brittenden Fellowship –
was fulled endowed in October 2020, thanks to a generous legacy from
Fred H. Brittenden (Modern History, 1946). When the Prestwich Fellowship
Fund launched in 2003, it was the first time Queen’s had ever turned to its
Old Members to seek their support for History. Now the College seeks to
secure the remaining funds.
A second fully-endowed post will ensure the future of high-quality historical
research and teaching at Queen’s for generations to come.
The John Prestwich Fellowship Fund
The cost to the College to endow this post is £3 million.
Over £2.4 million has been raised in cash and pledges
to date, since the Prestwich Fellowship Fund was created
in 2003.

HOW TO SUPPORT HISTORY
AT QUEEN’S
If you would like further information about making a regular gift to support
the John Prestwich Fellowship in History, please contact
Photo: David Olds
Amanda Sharp
Regular Giving Officer
amanda.sharp@queens.ox.ac.uk
+44 (0)1865 279225
If you are interested in becoming an Eglesfield or Philippa Benefactor, or if
you have any questions about leaving a gift to History at Queen’s in your will,
please contact development@queens.ox.ac.uk
Every gift makes a difference –
we can do this together
You can give using the enclosed donation form or by cheque, and can
send this back to us (using the addressed envelope pre-paid for those
in the UK) or, if in the US, to Americans for Oxford, Inc.
Alternatively, you can donate securely online by
scanning the accompanying QR code, or by visiting
the Queen’s giving page at www.development.
ox.ac.uk/queens-college or if in the US, at www.
oxfordna.org/donate, specifying “The John Prestwich
Fellowship Fund”.
www.queens.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 1142553
The Old Members’ Office
The Queen’s College
High Street
Oxford OX1 4AW
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 279225
Email: development@queens.ox.ac.uk
All photos unless otherwise stated: John Cairns Icons: © lutfix