William of Durham

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William of Durham (died 1249), who is said to have founded University College, Oxford, England, probably came from Sedgefield, County Durham and was educated at Wearmouth monastery and in Paris.

When, in 1229, riots broke out in Paris, he may have been the leader of a group of students who migrated from that city to Oxford, but this tradition is not attested to by contemporary sources. What is more certain is that he held several rich benefices in England and died in Rouen, Normandy, in 1249.

He left a large amount of money in his will to be invested in rents that would support scholars in Oxford. This benefaction resulted in the first of the Oxford halls or colleges. Subsequently this foundation took the name of University College.