Stephen Fry has been named a Visiting Professor of Creative Media within the Faculty of English at Oxford University. A renowned actor, comedian, author, director, and screenwriter, Fry, a Cambridge alumnus, is the recipient of a Golden Globe and two Tony Awards, and has graced both the silver screen and the Broadway stage throughout his career.
Fry told Cherwell: “Naturally to be asked to accept any visiting Professorship – even at a University that isn’t quite Cambridge – is a tremendous honour. No, but shush. Truly, I am delighted to have been offered this post, whose duties I shall endeavour to discharge with diligence.”
Fry studied English at Cambridge University, where his interest in the theatrical arts firmly took root. He was an avid participant in various drama clubs including the esteemed Cambridge Footlights where he met Hugh Laurie, with whom he would go on to produce a comedy double act Fry and Laurie in the 1980s and 1990s.
Since leaving university, Fry has appeared in numerous films, holding the titular role in Wilde (1997), and voicing the character of the Chesire chat in Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland (2010).
As an openly gay man, he has been a prominent voice within the LGBTQ+ community and produced the critically acclaimed documentary Out There, which examined the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people from different walks of life across the world.
Recently, Stephen Fry has extended his literary works by penning a series of texts that reimagine the Greek myths, in which he argues that Classics and mythology should be accessible for everyone, not just the formally educated.
Despite completing his undergraduate study at “The Other Place”, Oxford University warmly welcomes Visiting Professor Fry, who is due to give a lecture at the Sheldonian Theatre on 24th January.
Chair of the English Faculty Board Professor Marion Turner said: “Stephen’s versatility, experience, and innovation across so many forms of media fit him perfectly for this role. Our Visiting Professors of Creative Media always inspire our students and add new perspectives and energy to our community. We can’t wait to welcome Stephen.”
