Thomas Walker (died 5 December 1665) was an Oxford academic and administrator. He was twice Master of University College, Oxford. [1] [2]
The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the world's second-oldest university in continuous operation. It grew rapidly from 1167 when Henry II banned English students from attending the University of Paris. After disputes between students and Oxford townsfolk in 1209, some academics fled north-east to Cambridge where they established what became the University of Cambridge. The two 'ancient universities' are frequently jointly referred to as 'Oxbridge'. The history and influence of the University of Oxford has made it one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
A Master is the head or senior member of a college within a collegiate university, principally in the United Kingdom. The actual title of the head of a college varies widely between institutions.
University College, is a constituent college of the University of Oxford in England. It has a claim to being the oldest college of the university, having been founded in 1249 by William of Durham.
Walker was a Fellow at St John's College, Oxford. On 31 August 1632, he was elected as the Master of University College, with the support of the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Oxford. Founded as a men's college in 1555, it has been coeducational since 1979. Its founder, Sir Thomas White, intended to provide a source of educated Roman Catholic clerics to support the Counter-Reformation under Queen Mary.
Work on the dining hall on the south side of the main quad at University College started in 1640, but this was disrupted by the English Civil War that commenced in 1642. [3]
The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians ("Roundheads") and Royalists ("Cavaliers") over, principally, the manner of England's governance. The first (1642–1646) and second (1648–1649) wars pitted the supporters of King Charles I against the supporters of the Long Parliament, while the third (1649–1651) saw fighting between supporters of King Charles II and supporters of the Rump Parliament. The war ended with the Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651.
On 8 July 1648, Obadiah Walker, Henry Watkins, and Thomas Silvester were expelled from Oxford University for their Royalist sympathies. On 10 July, the Master, Thomas Walker, was removed as well. Joshua Hoyle was installed in his place during the Commonwealth. However, with the Restoration, he returned as Master in 1660 until his death in 1665. He noted in the College Register, Mense Julii die x, 1648, amotus est Dorctor Walker hujus Collegii magister legitimus per visitatores illegitimos.
Obadiah Walker was an English academic and Master of University College, Oxford from 1676 to 1688.
The parliamentary visitation of the University of Oxford was a political and religious purge taking place from 1647, for a number of years. Many Masters and Fellows of Colleges lost their positions.
Joshua Hoyle was a Professor of Divinity at Trinity College, Dublin and Master of University College, Oxford during the Commonwealth of England.
Walker was married to Jane Robinson, who was niece of the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was buried in the north aisle of St Peter's-in-the-East, Oxford.
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. The current archbishop is Justin Welby, who was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 21 March 2013. Welby is the 105th in a line which goes back more than 1400 years to Augustine of Canterbury, the "Apostle to the English", sent from Rome in the year 597. Welby succeeded Rowan Williams.
Oxford is a university city in south central England and the county town of Oxfordshire. With a population of approximately 155,000, it is the 52nd largest city in the United Kingdom, with one of the fastest growing populations in the UK, and it remains the most ethnically diverse area in Oxfordshire county. The city is 51 miles (82 km) from London, 61 miles (98 km) from Bristol, 59 miles (95 km) from Southampton, 57 miles (92 km) from Birmingham and 24 miles (39 km) from Reading.
