Tag: Percy Shelley

In 1811, a student at University College published a pamphlet including an essay titled ‘The Necessity of Atheism’ that he later distributed to the Heads of Oxford Colleges. The student, after disputes with the Master of University College at the time, was “sent down” on the grounds of “contumacy” (disobeying authority). This student was Percy Shelley. 

The University has a longstanding tradition of exalting its most famous alumni, but the truth of their time here may not be as pleasant as history remembers.