Oxford is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and lays claim to nine centuries of continuous existence. Throughout its history, Oxford has produced gifted men and women who have gone on to lead in every sphere of human endeavour. Among these are six kings, 47 Nobel prize-winners, 25 UK prime ministers, six current holders of the Order of Merit, plus three saints, 86 archbishops, 18 cardinals and one pope. Examples include:
- Sir Walter Raleigh, Oriel College, 1570
Explorer
- Edmund Halley, The Queen's College, 1673
Astronomer
- Adam Smith, Balliol College, 1740
Political economist
- H. H. Asquith, Balliol College, 1870
British Prime Minister 1908-1916
- Indira Gandhi, Somerville College, 1938
Prime Minister of India 1966-1977 & 1980-1984. First woman ever elected to lead a democracy.
- Margaret Thatcher, Somerville College, 1944
British Prime Minister 1979-1990
- Sir Howard Stringer, Merton College, 1964
CEO of Sony Corporation 2005-present
- Bill Clinton, University College, 1968
42nd President of the United States 1993–2001
- Tim Berners Lee, The Queen's College, 1973
Inventor of the World Wide Web
- Benazir Bhutto, Lady Margaret Hall, 1977
Prime Minister of Pakistan (1988–1990 & 1993–1996)
- King Abdullah II of Jordan, Pembroke College, 1984
Current ruler of Jordan
- Aung San Suu Kyi, St Hugh’s College, 1986
Leader, Burmese National League for Democracy and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize.