Take a tour of literary Oxford… with so many historical literary references there is something of interest for everyone.

Want to explore a particular author, we can help create a bespoke itinerary for your interest group.

Arnold, Matthew (December 24, 1822 – April 15, 1888)

Went to Oriel College

Arnold has been called the ‘Poet Laureate of Oxford’, and coined the famous phrase ‘city of dreaming spires’

Auden, W.H. (February 21, 1907 – September 29, 1973)

Went to Christ Church

A widely influential poet and critic

Berkeley, George (March 12, 1685 – January 14, 1753)

Berkeley is one of Britain’s greatest philosophers, famous for his Principles of Human Knowledge, He is buried in Christ Church Cathedral.

Buchan, John (August 26, 1875 – February 11, 1940)

Went to Brasenose College

Known for writing the thriller 39 Steps, later made into a movie by Alfred Hitchcock.

Dexter, Colin (September 29, 1930- )

A current Oxford resident, known for his Inspector Morse novels, which later became a popular television show

Fowles, John (March 31, 1926 – November 5, 2005)

Went to New College

Known for The Magus, The French Lieutenant’s Woman and The Aristos.

Greene, Graham (October 2, 1904 – April 3, 1991)

Went to Balliol College

Known for The Quiet American, The Third Man, and End of the Affair.

Hardy, Thomas (June 2, 1840 – January 11, 1928)

Many scenes in Hardy’s Jude the Obscure take place in Oxford

Hopkins, Gerard Manley (July 28, 1844 – June 8, 1889)

Went to Balliol College

One of Britains most admired poets, known for Duns Scotus’s Oxford, and To Oxford.

Huxley, Aldous (July 26, 1894 – November 22, 1963)

Went to Balliol College

Oxford life features in his works Those Barren Leaves and Eyeless in Gaza and known for Brave New World

James, Henry (April 15, 1843 – February 28, 1916)

Known for A Passionate Pilgrim, Portraits of Places, and English Hours. He lived in Oxford while writing The Altar of the Dead.

Johnson, Samuel (September 18, 1709 – December 13, 1784)

Went to Pembroke College

Johnson was one of England’s greatest literary figures

Lawrence, T.E. (August 16, 1888 – May 19, 1935)

Went to All Souls College

Widely known as Lawrence of Arabia, Lawrence grew up in Oxford studied at Jesus College, and then was later offered a post at All Souls College after World War One. During his time at All Souls, he worked on The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Locke, John (August 29, 1632 – October 28, 1704)

Went to Christ Church

Locke is one of the famous British empiricist philosophers, author of An Essay Concerning Human Understanding. He is buried in Christ Church Cathedral.

Murdoch, Iris (July 15, 1919 – February 8, 1999)

Went to Somerville College

A prolific novelist, Murdoch taught as a philosophy fellow at St. Anne’s after graduation from Somerville.

Ruskin, John (February 8, 1819 – January 20, 1900)

Went to Christ Church

Known for his work as an art critic. Ruskin College of Drawing, on High Street, was named after him.

Shelley, P.B. (August 4, 1792 – July 8, 1822)

Went to University College

Known for Ozymandias, Ode to the West Wind, To a Skylark, and The Masque of Anarchy.

Smith, Adam (June 5, 1723 – July 17, 1790)

Went to Balliol College

Smith, author of Wealth of Nations, and is widely regarded as the founder of modern economics.

Wilde, Oscar (October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900)

Went to Magdalen College

Wilde was a playwright, novelist, poet, and short story writer.