This is alist of people associated with Durham University, divided for user convenience into multiple subcategories. This includesalumni, those who have taught there, conducted research there or played a part in its founding.

Durham University is acollegiate university, so where known and if applicable, they are shown alongside theirassociated college. Note that college membership was not always compulsory.^[a] Staff candidates who have read for higher degrees, like the geologistGillian Foulger or the historianJeremy Black, did not join a college either. Alumni who did not take up membership of a college or society are therefore listed asUnattached.

This list is divided into categories indicating the field of activity in which people have become well known. Alumni who have achieved distinction in more than one field are listed in the field in which it is felt they are most associated, or have been involved in more recently.

Durham alumni are active through organizations and events such as the annual reunions, dinners and balls. By 2009, the university claimed 67 Durham associations, ranging from international to college and sports affiliated groups, catered for the more than 109,000 living alumni.^[3]

Scientific entries who were, or are,Fellows of the Royal Society, have thePost-nominal lettersFRS listed after their name

• Aba Andam (Grad Soc) –President of theGhana Academy of Arts and Sciences (2017–2019); the first female physicist from Ghana^[4]
• Karen Aplin (Trevelyan) –Professor of Space Science and Technology atUniversity of Bristol
• David Axon (Hatfield) –Professor of Physics at theUniversity of Hertfordshire andRochester Institute of Technology
• Gilbert Ronald Bainbridge (Hatfield) –Wolfson Professor of Energy Studies atNewcastle University
• John BarrowFRS (Van Mildert) –Gresham Professor of Geometry (2008–2011);Templeton Prize (2006)^[5]
• Eric F. Bell (Grad Soc) –Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Astronomy at theUniversity of Michigan^[6]
• Brian J. Boyle (Grad Soc) –Director of theAustralian Astronomical Observatory (1996–2003)^[7]
• Olwyn Byron –Professor of Biophysics at theUniversity of Glasgow;Rosalind Franklin Medal and Prize (2020)^[8]
• Richard Christopher CarringtonFRS –"Observer" atDurham University Observatory (1849–1852)^[9]
• Martyn Chamberlain –Emeritus Professor of Physics at Durham University; Master ofGrey College (2003–2011)^[10]
• Emma Chapman (Josephine Butler) –Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow atImperial College London
• Temple Chevallier –Director ofDurham University Observatory (1839–1871)
• Roger Davies –Philip Wetton Professor of Astrophysics at Oxford University; President of theRoyal Astronomical Society (2010–2012)^[11]
• I. M. Dharmadasa (Grad Soc) –Emeritus Professor of Electronic Materials & Devices atSheffield Hallam University^[12]
• George EfstathiouFRS (Grad Soc) –Savilian Professor of Astronomy at Oxford University (1988–1997)^[13]
• Richard EllisFRS –Professor of Astronomy at UCL;Gold Medal of the Royal Astronomical Society (2011)^[14]
• Keith EllisFRS –Professor of Physics at Durham University;Dirac Medal of the IOP (2019)
• Andrew Fisher –Professor of Physics atUniversity College London
• Carlos FrenkFRS –Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics at Durham University^[15]
• Nigel GloverFRS (Hatfield) –Professor of Physics at Durham University^[16]
• Monica Grady (St Aidan's) –Professor of Planetary and Space Science at theOpen University
• Lucien Hardy (Grad Soc) –Researcher atPerimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics best known for theHardy's paradox thought experiment^[17]
• Alexander Stewart HerschelFRS –first Professor of Physics at the College of Physical Sciences^[18]
• Jeremy S. Heyl –Professor of Physics and Astronomy atUniversity of British Columbia^[19]
• Harold JeffreysFRS (Armstrong) –Plumian Professor of Astronomy and Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge University (1946–1958)^[20]
• Hans Kronberger –Scientist-in-Chief of the Reactor Group atUKAEA (1962–1969);Leverhulme Medal (1969)
• Chris Leighton –Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science at theUniversity of Minnesota^[21]
• Gordon D. Love (Van Mildert) –Professor of Computer Science and Physics at the University of Leeds^[22]
• John Lupton –Professor of Experimental Physics atUniversity of Regensburg^[23]
• Alan MartinFRS –former Head ofthe Physics Department at Durham;Max Born Prize (2007)^[24]
• Richard Massey (University) –Professor of Physics at Durham University^[25]
• Tom McLeishFRS –Chair of Natural Philosophy at theUniversity of York^[26]
• M. A. Wazed Miah (Grad Soc) –Chairman of theBangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (–1999)
• Bahram Mobasher (Grad Soc) –Professor of Observational Astronomy at theUniversity of California, Riverside^[27]
• Ben Moore –Director of the Center for Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmology at theUniversity of Zürich;Philip Leverhulme Prize (2001)
• Antonio Padilla –Professor of Physics at the University of Nottingham;Buchalter Cosmology Prize (2016)^[28]
• A. W. Pryor –Fellow of theAustralian Institute of Physics;David Syme Research Prize (1964)
• George RochesterFRS (Armstrong) –British physicist known for having co-discovered, with SirClifford Butler, a subatomic particle called thekaon^[29]
• Graham RossFRS (Grad Soc) –Emeritus Professor of Physics at Oxford University; Dirac Medal of the IOP (2012)^[30]
• Brian Scarlett (Hatfield) –Professor of Chemical Technology atDelft University of Technology (1983–2000)
• Caleb Scharf (University) –Director of the Columbia Astrobiology Center atColumbia University^[31]
• Ian Smail (University) –Emeritus Professor of Physics at Durham University;Herschel Medal (2025)^[32]
• Anna Stasto –Professor of Physics atPennsylvania State University^[33]
• James StirlingFRS –Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy at Cambridge (2008-2013); Provost of Imperial College (2013-2018)
• Paul Sutcliffe (University) –Professor of Theoretical Physics at Durham University;Whitehead Prize (2006)^[34]
• Mark Swinbank (St Cuthbert's) –Professor of Physics at Durham University; Philip Leverhulme Prize (2013)^[35]
• Nial Tanvir (St Aidan's) –Professor of Physics and Astronomy atUniversity of Leicester; Herschel Medal (2019)^[36]
• Elizabeth J. Tasker (Collingwood) –Associate Professor atJapan Aerospace Exploration Agency
• Sarah Thompson (Trevelyan) –Head of Physics Department at theUniversity of York^[37]
• Samuel TolanskyFRS (Armstrong) –Professor of Physics atRoyal Holloway College (1947–1973)^[38]
• John C. Travers (Hild Bede) –Professor of Physics atHeriot-Watt University;A. F. Harvey Prize (2022)^[39]
• Richard S. WardFRS –Professor of Theoretical Physics at Durham University^[40]
• Gillian Wilson (Grad Soc) –Professor of Physics atUniversity of California, Merced^[41]
• Arnold WolfendaleFRS –Emeritus Professor of Physics at Durham University;Astronomer Royal (1991–1995)^[42]

• Cyril Clifford AddisonFRS (Hatfield) –Professor of Inorganic Chemistry atUniversity of Nottingham (1960–78)^[43]
• Jas Pal BadyalFRS –Professor of Chemistry at Durham University;Edward Harrison Memorial Prize (1993)^[44]
• Neil BartlettFRS (King's) –Emeritus Professor of Chemistry atUniversity of California, Berkeley;Davy Medal (2002)^[45]
• Richard Dickinson ChambersFRS (University) –Professor of Chemistry at Durham University (1976–2000)^[46]
• Tristram Chivers (Hatfield) –Emeritus Professor of Chemistry atUniversity of Calgary^[47]
• Geoffrey E. Coates –Head of the Chemistry Department at Durham University (1953–1968)
• Jacqui Cole (Grey) –Head ofMolecular Engineering atCavendish Laboratory^[48]
• James FeastFRS –President of theRoyal Society of Chemistry (2006–08),Royal Medal (2007)^[49]
• Rebecca Goss (Hatfield) –Professor of Organic Chemistry atUniversity of St. Andrews (2018–);Meldola Medal and Prize (2006)^[50]
• James Finlay Weir JohnstonFRS –Professor in Chemistry and Mineralogy, first Durham Fellow of the Royal Society (elected 1837)^[51]
• Judith HowardFRS –Professor of Chemistry at Durham University^[44]
• Jeremy HutsonFRS –Professor of Physics and Chemistry at Durham University (1996–);Tilden Prize (2011)^[44]
• Rachel McKendry (Trevelyan) –Professor atLondon Centre for Nanotechnology;Rosalind Franklin Award (2014)
• Elizabeth New (Ustinov) –Professor of Chemistry atUniversity of Sydney;Eureka Prize (2018)^[52]
• Friedrich PanethFRS –Professor of Chemistry at Durham, 1939–1953^[53]
• David ParkerFRS –Professor of Chemistry at Durham (1992–); twice Head of Department^[54]
• John A. PyleFRS (Grey) –Professor of Physical Chemistry at the University of Cambridge (2007–2018)^[55]
• Peter J. H. Scott (Ustinov) –Professor of Radiology and Pharmacology atUniversity of Michigan^[56]
• Peter Skabara (Grad Soc) –Ramsay Professor of Chemistry at University of Glasgow^[57]

• John Atkinson (Hatfield) –Emeritus Professor of Classics atUniversity of Cape Town
• Eric Birley –Master ofHatfield College (1949–1956)^[58]
• David Breeze (University) –Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments forHistoric Scotland (1989–2005)^[59]
• Martin Carver –Professor of Archaeology at the University of York^[60]
• Sam Challis (Hatfield) –Director of the Rock Art Research Institute (RARI) at theUniversity of the Witwatersrand^[61]
• Robin Coningham –Professor of Early Medieval Archaeology; UNESCO Chair in Archaeological Ethics and Practice in Cultural Heritage
• Brian Dobson (Hatfield) –Reader Emeritus of Durham University; President of theSociety of Antiquaries of Newcastle^[62]
• Alan Greaves (Grey) –Lecturer in Archaeology atUniversity of Liverpool^[63]
• William GreenwellFRS (University) –archaeologist, canon atDurham Cathedral^[64]
• Birgitta Hoffmann (Ustinov) –Director of theRoman Gask Project^[65]
• Michael Jarrett (Hatfield) –Professor of Archaeology atCardiff University^[66]
• Iain MacIvor (Hatfield) –Chief Inspector of Ancient Monuments for Scotland (1980–1989)^[67]
• Charlotte Roberts -Professor of Archaeology at Durham University (since 2004)^[68]
• J. E. H. Spaul (Hatfield) –Britishepigrapher and specialist on theArmy of the Roman Empire^[69]
• Malcolm Todd –Professor of Archaeology at the University of Exeter (1979–1996); Principal of Trevelyan College (1996–2000)^[70]
• Leslie Peter Wenham –Head of History atSt. John's College, York^[71]
• Tony Wilkinson –Professor of Archaeology (2006–2014)^[72]

• Sue Black –Professor of Computer Science and Technology Evangelist at Durham University
• Leslie Blackett Wilson (King's) –former Chair of Computer Science at theUniversity of Stirling
• Keith Clark (Hatfield) –Emeritus Professor in theDepartment of Computing at Imperial College London
• Simon Colton (St Aidan's) –Professor of Computational Creativity atQueen Mary University of London
• Max Garagnani (Grad Soc) –Lecturer, Department of Computing,Goldsmiths University of London
• David Gavaghan (Grey) –Professor of Computational Biology atUniversity of Oxford^[73]
• Edwin Hancock (Grey) –Emeritus Professor of Computer Vision at the University of York^[74]

• Ewan Anderson –Emeritus Professor of Geopolitics at Durham
• Alexander Betts –Professor of Forced Migration and International Affairs atUniversity of Oxford
• Luiza Bialasiewicz –Jean Monnet Professor of EU External Relations at theUniversity of Amsterdam
• Philip Booth (Hatfield) –Senior Academic Fellow at theInstitute of Economic Affairs
• Thom Brooks –Professor of Law and Government; Dean ofDurham Law School; incoming Principal of Collingwood College
• Gordon Cameron (Hatfield) –Professor of Land Economy at Cambridge University; Master ofFitzwilliam College, Cambridge (1988–1990)^[75]
• Neil Carter (Hatfield) –Professor of Politics at the University of York^[76]
• Andrew Cumbers (Grad Soc) –Professor of Political Economy at theAdam Smith Business School,University of Glasgow^[77]
• Anoush Ehteshami –Professor and Joint Director of the ESRC Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World, Durham
• Anthony Forster –Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity of Essex^[78]
• Andrew Gamble (Grad Soc) –Professor of Politics at the University of Sheffield (1986–2007)
• Mark N. Katz –Professor of Government and Politics atGeorge Mason University; William Luce Fellow (April–June 2018)
• Eduardo Mendieta –Professor atPenn State University; former fellow atInstitute of Advanced Study
• Roger Scully –Professor of Political Science atCardiff University
• Steven B. Smith (St Cuthbert's) –Professor of Political Science atYale University; Master ofBranford College (1996-2011)^[79]
• Gareth Stansfield (Hatfield and Hild Bede) –Professor of Middle East Studies atUniversity of Exeter^[80]
• Suha Taji-Farouki (St Mary's) –Lecturer in Modern Islam at University of Exeter
• Giles Ji Ungpakorn –Thai dissident; Professor of Political Science at International University of Humanities and Social Sciences (Costa Rica)

• Mark Ainsworth (Grey) –Francis Wayland Professor of Applied Mathematics atBrown University.^[81]
• Julian BesagFRS –Professor of Mathematics at Durham University;Guy Medal (1983)^[82]
• Ed CorriganFRS –Professor of Mathematics at theUniversity of York, Principal ofCollingwood College (2008–11)^[83]
• Ron Doney (University) –Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at University of Manchester^[84]
• Patrick Dorey –Professor of Mathematics at Durham University^[85]
• H. Martyn Evans –Professor in Humanities in Medicine at Durham University; Principal of Trevelyan College (2008–2019)
• Ian Fells –Emeritus Professor of Energy Conversion atNewcastle University,Michael Faraday Prize (1993)
• David Grant (Grad Soc) –Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University (2001–2012); Vice-President of theRoyal Academy of Engineering (2007–2012)^[86]
• Ruth Gregory –Professor of Mathematics and Physics at Durham University
• Julian Higgins –Professor of Evidence Synthesis and Director of Research at the Department of Population Health Sciences
• Frank KellyFRS (Van Mildert) –Professor of the Mathematics of Systems in theStatistical Laboratory, University of Cambridge; Master ofChrist's College, Cambridge since 2006^[87]
• Peter Kyberd (Hatfield) –Head of the School of Energy and Electrical Engineering atPortsmouth University^[88]
• William Herrick Macaulay (University) –Lecturer in Mathematics at University of Cambridge; Vice-Provost ofKing's College, Cambridge (1918–1924)^[89]
• Nigel Martin –Senior Lecturer in Mathematics at Durham University; Principal of Trevelyan College (2000–2008)^[90]
• Angela Mihai (Grey) –Professor of Applied Mathematics at Cardiff University^[91]
• John R. Parker (St Cuthbert's) –Professor of Mathematics at Durham University; Editor-in-Chief ofGeometriae Dedicata (2013–2022)^[92]
• Rosemary Renaut (Collingwood) –Professor of Mathematics atArizona State University^[93]
• Xiaoying Zhuang –Professor of Computational Science and Simulation Technology atLeibniz University Hannover^[94]

• John Anthony Allan (University) –Professor in Geography atKing's College, London;Stockholm Water Prize (2008)
• Ash Amin –Professor of Geography at Cambridge University
• Richard Arculus (Hatfield) –Professor in School of Earth Sciences atAustralian National University
• Gerald Blake –Geographer and Principal ofCollingwood College (1987–2001)
• Andrew Blowers (Hatfield) –Geographer known for his work on nuclear waste management;Alexander & Ilse Melamid Medal (2018)
• Martin BottFRS –Emeritus Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences;Wollaston Medal (1992)^[95]
• George Malcolm BrownFRS (University) –Director of theBritish Geological Survey;Murchison Medal (1981)^[96]
• Christopher Burn (Hatfield) –Emeritus Chancellor's Professor in the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies atCarleton University;Polar Medal (2018)^[97]
• William Campbell (College of Science) –metallographer to theUnited States Coast and Geodetic Survey
• Mike Crang –Professor ofCultural Geography at Durham University
• Sarah Curtis –Professor of Health and Risk at Durham University^[98]
• John Frederick Dewey –Professor of Geology at Oxford University (1986–2000)
• Kingsley Charles DunhamFRS (Hatfield) –Director of theBritish Geological Survey;Wollaston Medal (1976)^[99][100]
• Ghazi Falah (Hild Bede) –Geographer atUniversity of Akron
• Gillian Foulger (Unattached) –Professor of Geophysics at Durham University;Price Medal (2005)^[101]
• Paul Lewis Hancock (University) –Editor ofJournal of Structural Geology
• Peter Liss (University) –Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science at theUniversity of East Anglia^[102]
• David Harper –Professor of Palaeontology in Earth Sciences; Principal of Van Mildert College (2011–2021)
• Joseph Holden (Hatfield) –Professor of Physical Geography atUniversity of Leeds^[103]
• Arthur Holmes –Chair of Geology at theUniversity of Edinburgh;Vetlesen Prize (1964)
• Claire Horwell –Professor of Geohealth at Department of Earth Sciences, Durham University
• Ray Hudson –Lecturer in Geography; Director of theWolfson Research Institute (2003-2007)
• Malcolm K. Hughes (University) –Regents' Professor ofDendrochronology at theUniversity of Arizona; co-producer of thehockey stick graph
• Basil Charles King (Hatfield) –Professor of Geology atBedford College;Bigsby Medal (1959)^[104]
• Geoffrey King (Hatfield) –Senior Research Professor in Geophysics at theInstitut de Physique du Globe de Paris^[105]
• Ian Main (Grad Soc) –Professor of Seismology and Rock Physics at the University of Edinburgh^[106]
• Gordon Manley –Professor of Geography at Bedford College (1948–1964); President of theRoyal Meteorological Society (1945–1947)
• Stewart McPherson –TV presenter and conservationist; David Given Award for Excellence in Plant Conservation (2012)
• Frank Pasquill (University) –Deputy Chief Scientific Officer at theMet Office
• Roger PowellFRS (Van Mildert) –Emeritus Professor in the School of Earth Sciences at theUniversity of Melbourne^[107]
• David Sadler (University) –Professor ofHuman Geography at theUniversity of Liverpool
• David Vaughan (Hatfield) -Scientist atBritish Antarctic Survey; Lead Author of theIPCCFourth Assessment Report
• Lawrence WagerFRS –Professor of Geology at Durham University^[108]
• Ming Hung Wong (St Cuthbert's) –Advisor (Environmental Science) in the Department of Science and Environmental Studies at theEducation University of Hong Kong^[109]
• Philip Woodworth (Hatfield) -Oceanographer; former Director of thePermanent Service for Mean Sea Level^[110]

• Michael Aris (St Cuthbert's) –Author on Bhutanese, Tibetan and Himalayan culture and Buddhism; Lecturer in Asian history atSt John's College, Oxford and later atSt Antony's College, Oxford^[111]
• Jeremy Black –Professor of History at theUniversity of Exeter;Samuel Eliot Morison Prize (2008)^[112]
• Richard Britnell –Emeritus Professor of History at Durham University;The Commercialisation of English Society, 1000-1500 (1993)^[113]
• Bertram Colgrave (Hatfield) –Reader in English at Durham University; Editor ofEarly English Manuscripts in Facsimile^[114]
• Anthony Crichton-Stuart (St Chad's) –Head of Old Master Paintings atChristie's, New York
• Robin Donkin (King's) –Reader in Historical Geography at Cambridge University (1990–1996)^[115]
• Jo Fox –Director of theInstitute of Historical Research^[116]
• Roy Martin Haines (St Chad's) –Professor of Medieval History atDalhousie University^[117]
• James Holland (St Chad's) –Popular historian, author of books onWorld War II
• Jean Hood –Author of various books onmaritime history
• Liz James (Van Mildert) –Professor of the History of Art at theUniversity of Sussex
• Judith Jesch (St Aidan's) –Professor of Viking Studies at theUniversity of Nottingham^[118]
• Clifford Kinvig (St Cuthbert's) –Senior Lecturer in War Studies atRMA Sandhurst^[119]
• Deborah Lavin –Principal of Trevelyan College (1979–95)^[120]
• Dominic Montserrat (Grey) –Britishegyptologist andpapyrologist;Sex and Society in Graeco-Roman Egypt (1996)^[121]
• Jack Ogden –Visiting Professor of Ancient Jewellery, Material and Technology atBirmingham City University; President of the Society of Jewellery Historians (since 2018)
• George Ornsby (University) –Antiquarian; editor with theSurtees Society
• David Reeder (Hatfield) –Lecturer in Urban History,University of Leicester^[122]
• Nicholas Reeves (Van Mildert) –Egyptologist; Director of theAmarna Royal Tombs Project (1998–2002)^[123]
• James Rutherford (Armstrong) –Chair of History at University of Auckland (1934–63)
• Alec Ryrie –Professor of the History of Christianity at Durham University;Gresham Professor of Divinity (2018–2022)^[124]
• Alan Schom (Hatfield) –Biographer ofNapoleon andNapoleon III
• Heather J. Sharkey (Grad Soc) –Professor of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies atUniversity of Pennsylvania^[125]
• Peter Snowdon (University) –specialist in contemporary British political history; contributor toParliamentary Brief^[126]
• John Steele (University) –Professor of the History of the Exact Sciences in Antiquity and Wilbour Professor of Egyptology and Assyriology atBrown University^[127]

• Joanna Story (Trevelyan) –Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Leiecester^[128]
• Michael Swanton –Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at Exeter University
• George Macaulay Trevelyan –Scholar of political history and Chancellor of Durham University (1950–57)^[129]
• Andy Wood –Professor of Social History at Durham University
• Benjamin Woolley (St Cuthbert's) –historian and biographer;The King's Assassin: The Secret Plot to Murder King James I (2018)
• Julian Wright –Professor of History atNorthumbria University; co-editor ofFrench History

• Kenneth Allott (Armstrong) –Kenneth Muir Professor of English atLiverpool University
• Thomas Blackburn (Hatfield) –Lecturer atCollege of St. Mark and St. John^[130]
• Philip Bullock –Professor of Russian Literature and Music at the University of Oxford^[131]
• Seán Burke –Reader in English at Durham University
• Paul Edwards (Hatfield) –Professor of English and African Literature at theUniversity of Edinburgh^[132]
• Mikhail Epstein –Anglo-American and Russian literary theorist; Director of the Centre for Humanities Innovation at Durham University
• Ruth Etchells –Principal ofSt John's College, Durham (1979–88)^[133]
• Gary Ferguson (St Chad's) –Douglas Huntly Gordon Distinguished Professor of French at theUniversity of Virginia^[134]
• Clifford Nelson Fyle (Hatfield) -Sierra Leonean Professor of English; wrote lyrics to theSierra Leone National Anthem
• Eldred D. Jones –literary critic fromSierra Leone
• Malcolm Guite –author, poet (Sounding the Seasons,The Singing Bowl), priest, and singer-songwriter; current Bye-Fellow and Chaplain ofGirton College, Cambridge^[135]
• Maebh Long –Irish academic, known for writings on the novelist and playwrightBrian O'Nolan
• Margaret Masson –Lecturer in English, Principal of St Chad's College (2016–present)
• Patrick O'Meara –Professor of Russian and Russian history; Master of Van Mildert College (2004–11)^[136]
• John Robert O'Toole -Professorial fellow at the University of Melbourne
• Ann Moss –Professor of French at Durham University (1996–2003)
• Harold Orton (Hatfield) –Professor of English Language and Medieval English Literature,University of Leeds (1946–64)^[137]
• Jennifer Smith-FRSE Professor of Sociolinguistics,University of Glasgow^[138]
• Ida C. Ward (St Mary's) –Professor of Linguistics, known for work on African languages

Entries defined as having backgrounds inBiology and its various sub-disciplines e.g.Botany,Ecology,Neuroscience,Pathology etc.

• David Barker –Emeritus Professor of Zoology
• David Bellamy –Lecturer in Botany; President ofThe Wildlife Trusts (1995–2005)
• Kathleen Bever Blackburn (Armstrong) –botanist^[139]
• David Holden (University) –Emeritus Professor of Infectious Disease at Imperial College London^[140]
• John LawtonFRS –RSPB Vice President; previously head ofNatural Environment Research Council; the last chair of theRoyal Commission on Environmental Pollution^[141]
• Marie Lebour –marine biologist
• Simon Parson –Regius Professor of Anatomy atUniversity of Aberdeen (since 2018); President of theAnatomical Society (since 2019)^[142]
• Joe Smartt (Hatfield) –Reader in Biology at Southampton University (1990–1996)
• Mark A. Smith (Hatfield) –Professor of Pathology atCase Western Reserve University^[143]
• David H. Valentine -Head of Department of Botany from 1945 as Reader, then from 1950 as Professor. Subsequently atUniversity of Manchester
• Stan Woodell (Hatfield) –Lecturer in Botany at Oxford University (1959–1988); Emeritus Fellow ofWolfson College, Oxford (1989–2004)
• Adrian Woodruffe-Peacock (Hatfield) –Ecologist; contributor to theJournal of Ecology

(See§ Religion for theologians better known for their ordained ministry)

• Lewis Ayres –Professor of Catholic and Historical Theology at Durham University; Bede Chair of Catholic Theology (2009–2013)
• Charles Kingsley Barrett –Professor of Divinity at Durham University (1958–1982)
• Joan Bernard –Principal of Trevelyan College (1966–1978)
• Stephen R. L. Clark –Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at theUniversity of Liverpool
• Dan Cohn-Sherbok –Emeritus Professor of Judaism at theUniversity of Wales
• David E. Cooper –Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at Durham University^[144]
• Douglas Davies (St John's) –Professor in the Study of Religion at Durham^[145]
• James Dunn –Lightfoot Professor of Divinity at Durham University (1990–2003)
• Christopher Evans –Lightfoot Professor of Divinity (1959–1962)
• Stanley Eveling –Professor of Moral Philosophy atEdinburgh University
• Simon J. Gathercole (Hatfield) –Reader in New Testament Studies and Director of Studies atFitzwilliam College, Cambridge^[146]
• David Jasper (Hatfield and St Chad's) –Professor of Theology and Literature at theUniversity of Glasgow
• R. W. L. Moberly –Professor of Theology and Biblical Interpretation at Durham University
• Tim Crane -FormerKnightbridge Professor of Philosophy at theUniversity of Cambridge

• Ephraim AndersonFRS –bacteriologist known for his research onplasmids
• Francis Arthur BainbridgeFRS –Professor of Physiology at Durham University (1911–1915), later chair of physiology atSt. Bartholomew's Hospital^[147]
• George Stewardson BradyFRS (College of Medicine) –Professor of Natural History at theHancock Museum (1875–1906)^[148]
• John Charles –Chief Medical Office (1950–1960)
• Thomas Dutton –dietitian and opponent ofteetotalism
• Reginald Hall –endocrinologist known for his research on the thyroid gland
• William Edmund Hick –President of the Experimental Psychology Society (1958–1959)
• Tom Main –doctor, psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, coined the termTherapeutic community
• Flora Murray –doctor andsuffragist, founder of Women's Hospital for Children
• Claude Nelson-Williams -physician, politician, and one-time president of theSierra Leone Medical Association
• Ruth Nicholson –obstetrician andgynaecologist
• Thomas Horrocks Openshaw –Victorian surgeon and recipient of aJack the Ripper letter
• Joseph StoddartFRS –Consultantanaesthetist atRoyal Victoria Infirmary, influenced the development of Intensive Care in the UK
• John Walton, Baron Walton of Detchant –former President ofBritish Medical Association,General Medical Council and theRoyal Society of Medicine

• Gëzim Alpion (Grad Soc) –Lecturer in Sociology at University of Birmingham
• Robert Burgess (Bede) –President of theBritish Sociological Association (1989–1991)
• Stanley Cohen –Emeritus Professor of Sociology at theLondon School of Economics
• Iain R. Edgar (Grad Soc) –Senior Lecturer in Social Anthropology at Durham University
• Mathew Guest -Professor of Sociology of Religion at Durham University
• Robert Hugh Layton –Emeritus Professor of Anthropology at Durham University
• Tariq Modood (St Cuthbert's) –Professor of Sociology, Politics and Public Policy at theUniversity of Bristol (1997-); co-founder of the journalEthnicities
• Henrietta Moore (Trevelyan) –William Wyse Professor of Social Anthropology (2008-2014)
• Caroline Moser (St Mary's) –Emeritus Professor of Urban Development at University of Manchester; Senior Fellow,Brookings Institution (2004–2007)
• Sue Scott –Visiting Professor at the University of Newcastle; President of the British Sociological Association (2007–2009)
• Ian Taylor (Hatfield) –Professor of Sociology atSalford University (1989–1998); Principal ofVan Mildert College (1999–2000)
• Alan Warde (Grad Soc) –Professor of Sociology atManchester University (1999-)
• Frank Webster (St Cuthbert's) –Head of the Department of Sociology atCity University London (2008–2012);Theories of the Information Society (1995)

• Michael Alcorn –Director of the School of Music and Sonic Arts atQueen's University, Belfast
• Robert Allison –Vice-Chancellor ofLoughborough University from 2012^[149]
• Roy Ascott (King's) –Founder and President of thePlanetary Collegium atPlymouth University (2003–present)
• Tim Blackman (University) –Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity of Middlesex^[150]
• Ernest Bullock –Gardiner Professor of Music at the University of Glasgow and Principal of theScottish National Academy of Music (1941–1952); Director of theRoyal College of Music (1953–1960)
• Kenneth Calman –Vice-Chancellor of Durham University (1998–2006); Chancellor of the University of Glasgow (2006–present)
• Anne Campbell –Professor of Psychology at Durham University
• John Casken –Professor of Music at the University of Manchester (1992–2008)
• Joe Elliott (Hild Bede) –Principal of Collingwood College (2011–present) and Professor of Education at Durham (2004–present)
• Peter Evans (St Cuthbert's) –Professor of Music at Southampton University (1961–1990)^[151]
• Aikaterini Fotopoulou –Professor of Psychodynamic Neuroscience at University College London
• Robert Michael Franklin, Jr. –President ofMorehouse College (2007–2012)
• Chris Higgins (Grey) –Vice Chancellor ofDurham University (2007–2014)
• George Wilberforce Kakoma –Professor of music, composer of Uganda's national anthem
• Richard Ovenden (St Chad's) –Deputy Director and Head of Special Collections at theBodleian Library^[152]
• Hugh Pearman (St Chad's) –architecture and design critic ofThe Sunday Times (1986–2016)^[153]
• Octavius Pickard-CambridgeFRS (University) –Clergyman and arachnologist^[154]
• Frank Rhodes –President ofCornell University (1977–1995)^[155]
• Akilagpa Sawyerr –Vice-Chancellor of theUniversity of Ghana (1985–1992)
• Charles ThorpFRS –Warden of the University^[156]
• Peter Ustinov –Chancellor of the University of Durham (1992–2004)
• Paul Wellings (Grad Soc) –Vice-Chancellor ofLancaster University (2002–2012)
• Ted Wragg (Hatfield) –Professor of Education at theUniversity of Exeter (1978–2003)^[157]
• Zu'bi M.F. Al-Zu'bi (Ustinov) -Pro Vice-Chancellor at theUniversity of Jordan (2013–2017); Director of Development at theUniversity of Sydney

• Richard Adams (St John's) – pioneer ofFair Trade and founder ofTraidcraft
• Patrick Allman-Ward (Collingwood) – CEO ofDana Gas (2013–2023)
• Adam Applegarth (Grey) – CEO ofNorthern Rock bank (2001–07)^[158]
• David Arkless (Hatfield) – former president,CDI Corporation
• James Averdieck (Hild Bede) – entrepreneur known for dessert brandGü
• John Cadman, 1st Baron Cadman – Chairman of theAnglo-Persian Oil Company
• Cecil Chao – Chairman and owner of Cheuk Nang Holdings
• Edwin Davies – businessman and philanthropist^[159]
• Steve Easterbrook (St Chad's) – CEO ofMcDonald's^[160]
• Ron Emerson (Grad Soc) – founding Chairman of theBritish Business Bank
• Leslie Ferrar (St Mary's) – Treasurer toCharles III
• James Hoffmann – co-founder of Square Mile Coffee Roasters andWorld Barista Champion
• John Henry Holmes (College of Physical Science) – inventor of thelight switch^[161]
• Tom Hume (King's) – first Director of theMuseum of London
• Herbert Loebl (King's) – co-founder of Joyce, Loebl & Company
• John Laurent Giles – yacht designer^[162]
• Sir Robert Malpas (King's) – engineer and industrialist^[163]
• Lady Edward Manners – manager ofHaddon Hall and founder of Beau Bra Lingerie Company
• Ian Marchant (Hatfield) – CEO ofSSE plc
• Sir Peter Ogden (University) – co-founder ofComputacenter
• Peter Owen Edmunds (Hatfield) – telecoms entrepreneur, co-founder ofPeterstar
• Richard Paniguian (Hatfield) – former vice-president,BP
• Richard Pease (Hatfield) – fund manager
• Tom Riall (St Cuthbert's) – executive chair ofMydentist
• Alison Rose (St Aidan's) – former CEO ofNatWest Group
• William Russell (Grey) – formerMerrill Lynch banker; 692ndLord Mayor of London (2019–2021)^[164]
• Nick Scheele (St Cuthbert's) – president and COO of theFord Motor Company
• David Sproxton (Collingwood) – co-founder ofAardman Animations
• Edi Truell (Collingwood) – co-founder of private equity group Disruptive Capital
• Richard Walker (St Aidan's) – executive chairman ofIceland

• Delaval Astley, 23rd Baron Hastings (Hatfield) – actor,The Archers
• Arthur Bostrom (St Chad's) – played Officer Crabtree in'Allo 'Allo!
• Andrew Buchan (St Cuthbert's) –All the Money in the World (2017)
• Daniel Casey (Grey) – co-star ofMidsomer Murders
• Ian Hogg (St John's) – played lead role inRockliffe
• Nathan Kiley – stage actor
• Alex Macqueen (Collingwood) –The Thick of It andThe Inbetweeners
• Ambika Mod (St Mary's) –This Is Going to Hurt andOne Day
• Adam Rayner (St Chad's) – actor,Tyrant
• Charlotte Riley (St Cuthbert's) – actress
• Patrick Ryecart (Bede) – film and stage actor
• John Schwab (Hild Bede) – actor and voice artist
• Lily Travers – actress,Viceroy's House
• Jenny Walser – actress,Heartstopper
• James Wilby (Grey) – film, television and theatre actor known forMaurice andHowards End
• Christina Wolfe (Van Mildert) – actress,The Royals
• Fenella Woolgar (St Mary's) – actress,Bright Young Things (2003)

• James Cary (Hatfield) – TV and radio comedy writer,Think the Unthinkable andBluestone 42
• Tim FitzHigham (St Chad's) – comedian, actor and record-breaker
• Ed Gamble (Hatfield) – presenter and performer,The Peacock and Gamble Podcast andMock the Week
• Liz Kingsman – comedian and actress,Parlement andI, Jack Wright
• Nish Kumar (Grey) – stand-up and host,The Mash Report
• Stevie Martin (St John's) – comedian and podcast host,Nobody Panic
• Nick Mohammed (St Aidan's) – comedian and actor
• Naz Osmanoglu (Van Mildert) – stand-up and formerSo You Think You're Funny runner-up

• George Alagiah (Van Mildert) – broadcaster; BBC TV News at Six since 2003^[181]
• Matthew Amroliwala (St Chad's) – BBC news presenter
• Guy de la Bédoyère (Collingwood) – British historian and broadcaster,Time Team
• Lucy Beresford (Trevelyan) – broadcaster, host of #MindOverMatterMondays andagony aunt onThis Morning
• Lionel Blue – rabbi, broadcaster, author; HonoraryDoctor of Divinity and Fellow at Grey College^[182]
• Allan Cartner (University) –Continuity announcer,Border Television
• Mark Durden-Smith (Hatfield) –Channel 5 sports presenter
• Jonny Dymond (Hild Bede) – BBC Royal Correspondent (2017–)
• Marc Edwards – Welsh and Chinese television presenter onChina Central Television
• Jonathan Gould (Hatfield) – Channel 5 television presenter ofMLB on Five (1997–2008)
• Judith Hann (St Aidan's) – freelance broadcaster and writer, formerTomorrow's World presenter^[183]
• Gavin Hewitt (St John's) – Special Correspondent for BBC News^[184]
• Chris Hollins (Hild Bede) – broadcaster, sports presenter forBBC Breakfast
• Nina Hossain (St Cuthbert's) – broadcast journalist
• Catherine Jacob (Grey) – Sky News journalist
• Gabby Logan (Hild Bede) – TV presenter
• Dominic Montserrat (Grey) – TV Egyptologist
• Rory Morrison (University) – BBC Radio 4 newsreader and continuity announcer
• Maryam Nemazee – Bloomberg presenter
• Kjartan Poskitt (Collingwood) – TV presenter and author
• Mark Pougatch (Hatfield) – BBC sports presenter and radio host
• Jonny Saunders (Collingwood) –BBC Radio 2 Sports Presenter
• David Shukman (Hatfield) – BBC correspondent
• Gareth Sibson (University) – writer and broadcaster
• Kate Silverton (St Cuthbert's) – Broadcast journalist
• Bill Steel – presenter and announcer,Tyne Tees Television
• Jeremy Vine (Hatfield) – BBC radio and television presenter
• Tim Willcox (St Chad's) – BBC television presenter

• George Auckland (Hatfield) – longtime BBC television and digital media executive
• Simon Ardizzone (University) – film editor and producer,Hacking Democracy (2006)
• Biddy Baxter (St Mary's) – TV producer (Blue Peter) and inventor of theBlue Peter badge
• Jamie Campbell (St John's) – documentary filmmaker and producer,24 Hours with...
• Jonny Campbell (Van Mildert) – film and television director,Alien Autopsy (2006)
• Charles Mark Townshend Colville (St Chad's) – 5th Viscount Colville of Culross, BBC producer and director, elected as hereditary peer in 2011
• George Entwistle (University) – journalist, TV producer and formerDirector-General of the BBC^[185]
• John Exelby (University) – co-founder and editor of BBC News World Service
• Shelagh Fogarty – host of theBBC Radio 5 Live breakfast show
• Fiona Foster (Van Mildert) – television presenter ofBBC Business News andITV London Tonight
• Alastair Fothergill (St Cuthbert's) – BBC Nature producer and co-producer ofThe Blue Planet
• Pippa Greenwood (Trevelyan) – plant pathologist, appears on BBCGardeners World
• Lorraine Heggessey (Collingwood) –BBC One controller (2000–2004)
• Sally El Hosaini (Collingwood) – filmmaker
• Cecil McGivern – Controller of BBC Television Service (1950–1957)
• Roger Pratt (St John's) – cinematographer andAcademy Award nominee,The End of the Affair (1999)
• Ian Sharp (Hatfield) – director known forWho Dares Wins (1982) and his second-unit work onGoldenEye (1995)
• Chris Terrill (Collingwood) – documentary maker, writer and adventurer
• Dougal Wilson (University) – director;Paddington in Peru (2024)

• 
  Mark Carleton-Smith
• 
  Richard Dannatt, Baron Dannatt
• 
  Richard Nugee
• 
  Tim Radford
• 
  Alex Taylor

• 
  Jonathan Chaffey
• 
  Nigel Phillips
• 
  James Milne Robb
• 
  Garry Tunnicliffe

• 
  Andrew Burns
• 
  Alex Burton
• 
  Clive Johnstone
• 
  Timothy Laurence
• 
  David Steel

• Michael Alford (St John's) – figurative painter
• SirThomas Allen – operatic baritone, formerChancellor of Durham University
• Ralph Allwood (Van Mildert) – Director of Music atEton College
• Marian Arkwright (Unattached) – composer, one of the first British women to receive a doctorate in music
• Frederic Austin – English baritone singer, musical teacher and composer from 1905 to 1930
• Edward Bairstow – organist and composer in the Anglican church music tradition
• H. Hugh Bancroft – British organist and composer who was organist of five cathedrals
• Kerry Beaumont – organist and Director of Music atHoly Trinity Church, Leamington Spa (2021–)^[221]
• Philip Best – pioneer inpower electronics
• Jon Boden (Collingwood) – English fiddle player and folk singer
• Thomas Frederick Candlyn – organist and choirmaster, St. Thomas Church, New York
• Andrew Cantrill (Hild Bede) – organist and choirmaster,St. Paul's Cathedral, Buffalo, New York
• Justin Chancellor – bassist,Tool
• King Charles – indie rock artist
• J. Michael Clarke (St Chad's) – composer and musician
• Rod Clements (St Cuthbert's) – musician in folk-rock bandLindisfarne
• (Alfred) Melville Cook – British organist and conductor
• Jonathan Darlington (Hatfield) – conductor and Music Director ofVancouver Opera
• Howard Davies (St Cuthbert's) – theatre and television director^[110]
• Bryan Ferry –Roxy Music singer (only studied for one year before moving to Newcastle)^[222]
• Eveline Fischer – video game composer known for her work withRare^[223]
• Margot Fonteyn – ballet dancer, Chancellor of Durham University
• Noel Forster (King's) – British artist
• Rumon Gamba – conductor, Chief Conductor ofOulu Symphony Orchestra
• Ruth Gipps – British composer, conductor, oboist and pianist
• Malcolm Goldring (Hatfield) – English conductor and oboist
• Dan "Nu:Tone" Gresham – drum and bass musician
• J. P. E. Harper-Scott (St Chad's) – Professor of Music History and Theory atRoyal Holloway, University of London
• Ted Harrison – Canadian artist
• Patrick Hawes (St Chad's) – composer andClassic FM's Composer in Residence
• Gwyneth Herbert (St Chad's) – singer-songwriter and jazz musician^[224]
• Arthur Hutchings – Professor of Music at Durham University (1947–1968)
• David Jennings (University) – composer
• John Joubert – composer of choral music
• James MacMillan (Hild Bede and Grad Soc) – Scottish composer
• Stuart MacRae (Hild Bede) – composer
• Paul Miles-Kingston – director of music atSt Peter's School, York^[225]
• Anthony Payne (Cuths) – composer andElgar specialist
• Giles Ramsay (St Chad's) – theatre director, producer and playwright, Fellow of St Chad's^[226]
• Michael F. Robinson – composer and musicologist, faculty member (1961-1965)
• Tom Rosenthal (St Cuthbert's) – English singer-songwriter
• Alec Roth (Hatfield) – English composer
• Janet Mary Salsbury - English author, composer and organist
• Malcolm Sargent (Unattached) – English conductor, organist and composer
• Tim "Exile" Shaw (Hatfield) – drum and bass andIDM musician
• Robert Simpson – composer, writer, BBC producer
• Ronald Smith – English classical pianist, composer and teacher
• Alexander Talbot Rice (St Cuthbert's) – portrait artist
• Richard Terry – organist and revivalist ofTudor period music
• John Philip 'Jake' Thackray (Hatfield) - singer-songwriter, poet, humourist and journalist
• Alan Walker – musicologist and biographer ofFranz Liszt
• John B. Williams (Van Mildert) – drum and bass musician and DJ

Current members of theCabinet of the United Kingdom

Excluding current members of the Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet, who are listed above (if any), and formerMPs who went on to be members of the House of Lords, who are listed below

• 
  Charles Colville, 5th Viscount Colville of Culross
• 
  Oliver Eden, 8th Baron Henley
• 
  Dianne Hayter, Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town
• 
  Viscount Knutsford
• 
  Sally Morgan, Baroness Morgan of Huyton

• 
  Fergus Cochrane-Dyet
• 
  Kim Darroch
• 
  Jonathan Wilks

• 
  Ian Chapman
• 
  Kumar Iyer
• 
  Jonathan Jones
• 
  Nicola Spence

• 
  Walter Adams
• 
  Josiah Idowu-Fearon
• 
  Henry Ndukuba
• 
  Michael Ramsey
• 
  Patriarch Theophilos III of Jerusalem
• 
  Justin Welby

• 
  Steven Croft
• 
  Christopher Foster
• 
  Nick Holtam
• 
  Walsham How
• 
  John Inge
• 
  William Stanton Jones