Balliol College, Oxford

Discover the notable alumni of Balliol College, Oxford. The list includes people like George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston, Chris Patten, William Beveridge, Seretse Khama & Rory Kinnear. This list of notable alumni is loosely sorted by popularity and has people from different domains of life, such as miscellaneous, writers, intellectuals & academics, leaders and media personalities etc.
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 1 
Adam Smith
(18th Century Scottish Economist Who is Considered the Father of Modern Economics)
Adam Smith
43
Birthdate: June 5, 1723
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Kirkcaldy, Fife, Scotland
Died: July 17, 1790

Widely considered The Father of Economics, Adam Smith was a Scottish philosopher and economist. A pioneer of political economy, Adam Smith played a major role during the Scottish Enlightenment. His book The Wealth of Nations is regarded as the first modern work of economics and a forerunner of today's academic discipline of economics.

 2 
Aldous Huxley
(Writer and Philosopher Best Known for His Novels: ‘Brave New World’, ‘Island’ and ‘Point Counter Point’)
Aldous Huxley
18
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 26, 1894
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Godalming, England
Died: November 22, 1963

English writer and philosopher Aldous Huxley wrote countless books, including novels, short stories, non-fiction, and poems. He is best remembered for his science-fiction novels Brave New World and Island. The seven-time Nobel Prize nominee was also a Companion of Literature of the Royal Society of Literature and a Vedanta believer.

 3 
Christopher Hitchens
(British-American Author Who is Known for Excoriating Criticisms of Public Contemporary Figures)
Christopher Hitchens
22
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 13, 1949
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Portsmouth, England
Died: December 15, 2011

Christopher Hitchens was an advocate for New Atheism and a harsh critic of religion and of famous personalities such as Bill Clinton and Mother Teresa. He authored and edited many books on socio-political issues. As a journalist, he wrote for well-known publications such as New Statesman and The Weekly Standard.

 4 
George Stephanopoulos
(Co-Anchor of ABC TV Show 'Good Morning America')
George Stephanopoulos
18
Birthdate: February 10, 1961
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Fall River, Massachusetts, United States

George Stephanopoulos is an American political commentator and TV host. Currently serving as the chief anchor for ABC News, Stephanopoulos plays an important role in deciding the format of shows like Good Morning America. A well-known figure in popular culture, Stephanopoulos inspired the character of Henry Burton in the novel Primary Colors, which was later adapted into a film.

 5 
Harald V of Norway
(King of Norway)
Harald V of Norway
23
Birthdate: February 21, 1937
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Skaugum, Norway

Harald V of Norway ascended the throne after the demise of his father, King Olav V. A sports enthusiast, he represented Norway in sailing at three Olympic Games. He also became a patron of World Sailing. The King is an admiral, the Supreme Commander of the Norwegian Armed Forces and a four-star general.

 6 
H. H. Asquith
(Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916)
H. H. Asquith
5
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: September 1, 1852
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Morley, England
Died: February 1, 1928

H. H. Asquith was an English politician and statesman best remembered for serving as the prime minister of the UK from 1908 to 1916. He was the last PM to command a majority government from the Liberal Party. Great Britain entered the First World War under his prime ministership, a move which is often criticized by modern-day critics and scholars.

 7 
Olav V of Norway
(Former King of Norway (1957 - 1991))
Olav V of Norway
7
Birthdate: July 2, 1903
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Sandringham, Norfolk, England
Died: January 17, 1991

Olav V of Norway served as the king of Norway from 1957 to 1991. Olav became heir apparent to the throne in 1905 when his father was crowned king of Norway. His leadership skills during World War II earned him the position of Norwegian Chief of Defence in 1944. Nicknamed The People's King, Olav was popular for his down-to-earth style.

 8 
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
(Former Captain of the Indian Cricket Team)
Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
7
Listed In: Sportspersons
Birthdate: January 5, 1941
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Bhopal, India
Died: September 22, 2011

Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi was an Indian cricket player. Entrusted with the responsibility of captaining the Indian cricket team, at the age of 21, Pataudi went on to become one of the greatest Indian cricket captains of all time. Also known for his fielding abilities, he was described by many as the best fielder in the world during his playing career.

 9 
Julian Huxley
(Biologist)
Julian Huxley
4
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: June 22, 1887
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: London, England
Died: February 14, 1975
 10 
Seretse Khama
(Politician)
Seretse Khama
4
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 1, 1921
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Serowe, Botswana
Died: July 13, 1980
 11 
Rory Stewart
(British Politician Who Served as Minister in Theresa May's Cabinet)
Rory Stewart
6
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 3, 1973
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: British Hong Kong

The son of a soldier and intelligence officer, Rory Stewart was educated at Eton and Oxford and was also a tutor to princes William and Harry. Apart from being a diplomat and MP later, he also traveled across several countries on foot and wrote about this remarkable journey in a bestselling book.

 12 
William Beveridge
(British Economist and Liberal Politician)
William Beveridge
1
Birthdate: March 5, 1879
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Rangpur, Bangladesh
Died: March 16, 1963

Born to a British civil servant in British India, William Beveridge was educated at Oxford. While he initially excelled in math and classics, he later studied law. A leading economist, he created the Beveridge Report, which formulated the welfare state policies in the U.K. after World War II.

 13 
Yvette Cooper
(Political Leader)
Yvette Cooper
3
Birthdate: March 20, 1969
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Inverness, Scotland, UK
 14 
Dan Snow
(Best Known as the Host of BBC History Shows Like Battlefield Britain and Montezuma)
Dan Snow
0
Birthdate: December 3, 1978
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Westminster, London, England
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 15 
Hilaire Belloc
(Poet and Author Best Known for His Humorous Poem ‘Cautionary Tales for Children’)
Hilaire Belloc
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: July 27, 1870
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: La Celle-Saint-Cloud, France
Died: July 16, 1953
British-French writer Hilaire Belloc is one of the most controversial figures of England from the 20th century, owing to the accusations of anti-semitism and marked Catholic influence in his works. Remembered for his Cautionary Tales for Children, he continued to move from place to place, thus depleting his finances.
 16 
Rachel Luttrell
(Actress)
Rachel Luttrell
2
Birthdate: January 19, 1971
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Tanzania
Height: 5'4" (163 cm)
 17 
John R Hicks
(One of the Most Influential Economists of the 20th Century and 1972 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics)
John R Hicks
2
Birthdate: April 8, 1904
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Warwick, England, United Kingdom
Died: May 20, 1989

Noted British economist Sir John Hicks, counted among the leading economists of the twentieth century, made significant contributions to general equilibrium theory and welfare theory for which he jointly received the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences. His book Value and Capital is regarded as a classic exposition of microeconomic theory and includes extension of general equilibrium theory.

 18 
Edward Heath
(Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1970-1974))
Edward Heath
11
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: July 9, 1916
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Broadstairs, England, United Kingdom
Died: July 17, 2005
Edward Heath served as the British prime minister from 1970 to 1974. He reformed the local governments and introduced many metropolitan counties. He supported the European Communities and attempted to curb trade unions, with a view to deregulate the economy. He was the Father of the House for 9 years.
 19 
Denis Healey
(Politician)
Denis Healey
0
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 30, 1917
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Mottingham, London, England
Died: October 3, 2015
 20 
Boris Johnson
(Current Prime Minister of UK)
Boris Johnson
133
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: June 19, 1964
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Upper East Side, New York, United States

The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson has been active in politics for over two decades. Prior to joining politics, he worked as a journalist. His supporters hail him for unconventional image and sense of humor while his detractors criticize him for being “ruthless, elitist, and biased".

 21 
Ghislaine Maxwell
(Socialite, Sex offender)
Ghislaine Maxwell
82
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 25, 1961
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Maisons-Laffitte, France

Daughter of publishing tycoon, late Robert Maxwell, Ghislaine Maxwell is a socialite infamous for her involvement with the convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein. Charged with sex trafficking of minor girls, she is under investigation by the US Virgin Islands Department of Justice.

 22 
Nevil Shute
(Best Known for His Novels, Which Often Have an Aviation Theme)
Nevil Shute
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: January 17, 1899
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Ealing, Middlesex , England
Died: January 12, 1960

British-Australian novelist Nevil Shute was also an aeronautical engineer and had fought in World War I. Of the 25 books he had penned throughout his lifetime, On the Beach remains one of the most notable. Most of his works reflected his cynicism regarding humanity in a war-ravaged society.

George Curzon, 1st Marquess Curzon of Kedleston
7
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: January 11, 1859
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Kedleston, Derbyshire, England
Died: March 20, 1925
 24 
J. L. Austin
(Philosopher of Language Best Known for Developing the 'Theory of Speech Acts')
J. L. Austin
1
Birthdate: March 26, 1911
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Lancaster, England
Died: February 8, 1960

Philosopher J. L. Austin is remembered for his study on ordinary-language philosophy and is also considered a pioneer of the theory of speech acts. His lectures at Harvard were later collected in How to Do Things with Words. He died of cancer while developing a theory on sound symbolism.

 25 
Rory Kinnear
(Stage and Film Actor Known for His Role of 'Bill Tanner' in Numerous James Bond Films)
Rory Kinnear
7
Birthdate: February 17, 1978
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England

Olivier Award-winning Shakespearean theater actor Rory Kinnear is best known as MI6 agent Bill Tanner James Bond films such as Quantum of Solace and Skyfall. The son of actors Roy Kinnear and Carmel Cryan, he was never a stranger to showbiz. He also delivered an award-winning role in the series Penny Dreadful.

 26 
John Templeton
(Investor)
John Templeton
0
Listed In: Business People
Birthdate: November 29, 1912
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Winchester, Tennessee, United States
Died: July 8, 2008
 27 
George Steiner
(Literary critic, Essayist, Philosopher, Novelist)
George Steiner
2
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: April 23, 1929
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Neuilly-sur-Seine, France
Died: February 3, 2020
 28 
Matthew Syed
(British Journalist, Broadcaster and Former Table Tennis Player)
Matthew Syed
1
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 2, 1970
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Reading, Berkshire, England
 29 
Robert Peston
(Political Editor of 'ITV News' and Host of the Weekly Political Discussion Show 'Peston')
Robert Peston
2
Birthdate: April 25, 1960
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England

ITV News political editor and the host of Peston, journalist Robert Peston has also established the education non-profit Speakers for Schools. He has also worked for BBC and penned books such as WTF? and Who Runs Britain? He has also won numerous awards, including the RTS’s Journalist of the Year.

 30 
Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon
(Foreign Secretary)
Edward Grey, 1st Viscount Grey of Fallodon
2
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: April 25, 1862
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: London, England
Died: September 7, 1933

Sir Edward Grey spent a long 11-year stint as the British foreign secretary, the longest uninterrupted tenure anybody has had in the same post. He is known for his support of France in the Moroccan crises and his iconic “the lamps are going out” remark made to the Westminster Gazette.

 31 
Adrian Carton de Wiart
(British Army officer)
Adrian Carton de Wiart
2
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: May 5, 1880
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Brussels, Belgium
Died: June 5, 1963

Adrian Carton de Wiart was a British Army officer who served in the Boer War, World War I, and World War II. He suffered several injuries during his service; he was shot in the face, ankle, leg, stomach, head, hip, and ear. He also lost vision in his left eye. He was honored with many awards, including the Victoria Cross.

 32 
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth
(Anglo-Irish Philosopher and Political Economist)
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth
0
Listed In: Scientists
Birthdate: February 8, 1845
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Edgeworthstown, County Longford, Ireland
Died: February 13, 1926

Francis Ysidro Edgeworth was an Anglo-Irish economist and statistician, known for his significant contributions to the methods of statistics. An autodidact in mathematics and economics, he imaginatively applied mathematics to the fields of economics and statistics, writing several books, including Mathematical Psychics, presenting new ideas on various topics like on the generalized utility function, the indifference curve etc.  .

 33 
Leo Amery
(Politician)
Leo Amery
0
Birthdate: November 1, 1873
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Gorakhpur, India
Died: September 16, 1955
 34 
L.P. Hartley
(Novelist)
L.P. Hartley
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: December 30, 1895
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Whittlesey, England
Died: December 13, 1972
 35 
Olaf Stapledon
(British Philosopher and Author of Science Fiction)
Olaf Stapledon
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: May 10, 1886
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Seacombe, Wallasey, Cheshire, England
Died: September 6, 1950

British philosopher and sci-fi author Olaf Stapledon had been part of the Friends’ ambulance unit during World War I and had also won the Croix de Guerre. He was initially gearing up for an academic career but stepped into full-time writing after his novel Last and First Men became a success.

 36 
Charles Tilly
(American Sociologist, Political Scientist and Historian)
Charles Tilly
0
Birthdate: May 27, 1929
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lombard, Illinois, United States
Died: April 29, 2008

Hailed by many as the founding father of 21st-century sociology, Charles Tilly was not only a revered sociologist, but also an influential political scientist and historian. Considered a major figure in the development of historical sociology, he published numerous books, monographs and scholarly articles, providing an insight into urban sociology, European nation-state formation, democracy, social movements, labor, and categorical inequalities

 37 
Kim Beazley
(33rd Governor of Western Australia)
Kim Beazley
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: December 14, 1948
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Subiaco, Australia
 38 
Ernest Gellner
(British-Czech Philosopher and Social Anthropologist)
Ernest Gellner
0
Birthdate: December 9, 1925
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Paris, France
Died: November 5, 1995

Ernest Gellner was a British-Czech philosopher and social anthropologist who was considered one of the leading theoreticians on nationalism. A prolific author, he was able to attract critical attention with his very first book, Words and Things, in which he fiercely attacked what he called linguistic philosophy. He eventually developed an interest in social anthropologybefore turning his attention to nationalism. 

 39 
Robert Reed, Baron Reed of Allermuir
(President of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom)
Robert Reed, Baron Reed of Allermuir
0
Listed In: Lawyers & Judges
Birthdate: September 7, 1956
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Scotland
 40 
Christopher Hill
(English Marxist Historian and Academic)
Christopher Hill
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 6, 1912
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: York, Yorkshire, England
Died: February 23, 2003
 41 
Peter Benenson
(British Lawyer, Human Rights Activist and the Founder of Human Rights Group Amnesty International (AI))
Peter Benenson
0
Listed In: Activists
Birthdate: July 31, 1921
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: London, England
Died: February 25, 2005

Peter Benenson was a British human rights activist and lawyer. He is credited with establishing the popular human rights group and an international non-governmental organization Amnesty International (AI). In 2001, Peter Benenson agreed to receive the prestigious Pride of Britain Award after refusing to accept all honors throughout his career.

 42 
Bob Rae
(25th Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations)
Bob Rae
3
Listed In: Leaders
Birthdate: August 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Ottawa, Canada
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 43 
Thomas Byles
(Priest)
Thomas Byles
0
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 26, 1870
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Leeds, Yorkshire, England
Died: April 15, 1912
 44 
A. V. Dicey
(British Whig Jurist and Constitutional Theorist)
A. V. Dicey
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: February 4, 1835
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: England
Died: April 7, 1922

British jurist A. V. Dicey is best known for his Introduction to the Study of the Law of the Constitution, which forms the basis of the modern British constitution. Apart from teaching law at Oxford, he also served as the principal of the Working Men’s College of London.

 45 
Harold Nicolson
(Member of Parliament for Leicester West (1935 -1945))
Harold Nicolson
3
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: November 21, 1886
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Tehrān, Iran
Died: May 1, 1968
Born to a British diplomat father in Persia, Harold Nicolson was a well-traveled child, due to his father’s international postings. He grew up to be a diplomat and became famous for his travel accounts and novels. Diaries and Letters remains one of his most notable collections of essays and journals.
 46 
Nicholas Katzenbach
(Lawyer)
Nicholas Katzenbach
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: January 17, 1922
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Died: May 8, 2012
 47 
R. W. Southern
(Historian)
R. W. Southern
0
Birthdate: February 8, 1912
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Died: February 6, 2001
 48 
R. H. Tawney
(British Economic Historian, Social Critic, Ethical Socialist and Christian Socialist)
R. H. Tawney
0
Birthdate: November 30, 1880
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Kolkata, India
Died: January 16, 1962

English economic historian, Christian socialist, ethical socialist and social critic Richard Henry Tawney was also an advocate of adult education. He penned several books, including The Acquisitive Society (1920), Religion and the Rise of Capitalism (1926) and Equality (1931) that made him an influential historian, social critic and reformer of his time.   

 49 
Adam von Trott zu Solz
(German Diplomat and Lawyer)
Adam von Trott zu Solz
1
Listed In: Miscellaneous
Birthdate: August 9, 1909
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Potsdam, Germany
Died: August 26, 1944
 50 
Anthony Hope
(British Novelist and Playwright Known for His Work 'The Prisoner of Zenda')
Anthony Hope
0
Listed In: Writers
Birthdate: February 9, 1863
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Lower Clapton, London, England
Died: July 8, 1933

Best known for his iconic novel The Prisoner of Zenda, Anthony Hope specialized in cloak-and-sword romances and eventually created a separate genre, known as the Ruritanian romance, set in the mythical country of Ruritania. He was also knighted for his achievements but eventually succumbed to throat cancer.