William of Durham (died 1249) is said to have foundedUniversity College, Oxford,England.[1][2] He most likely came fromSedgefield,County Durham and was educated atWearmouth monastery and inParis,France.
William of Durham was archdeacon ofCaux and (in 1235, for a few months) archbishop-elect ofRouen inNormandy, France.[1]
When, in 1229, riots broke out in Paris, he may have been the leader of a group of students who migrated from that city toOxford, but this tradition is not attested to by contemporary sources. What is more certain is that he held several rich benefices inEngland and died in Rouen, in 1249.
He left 310 marks,[1] a large amount of money, in his will to be invested in rents that would support scholars in Oxford. This benefaction resulted in one of the first of the Oxford halls or colleges. Subsequently, this foundation took the name of University College.
University College, Oxford now has aWilliam of Durham Club for old members leaving a legacy to the College.[3]
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