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Friday 5 September 2008

The don who embodies Oxford

A tribute to Jeremy Catto, the legendary tutor

His network of friends is unbeatable, both for its variety and for its affectionate loyalty. One such is Sir David Manning, our man in Washington, a former pupil whose career Jeremy has followed with growing delight. ‘I’ve stayed in every embassy he’s ever been posted to. I like it when my pupils run the world.’ Twenty years ago, on a flight to Singapore to visit another, he caused consternation by changing into his pyjamas. ‘But it’s bedtime....’

Never censorious of anyone’s politics, he takes pleasure in everyone’s success. Where so many of the Left will sneeringly put down a youngster whose politics they don’t share, such an attitude is unthinkable to Catto. ‘Now, I hope you’re never rude across the Chamber to that nice Paul Murphy.’ A Labour MP he may be, but no one may insult an Oriel man.

There are limits to his talents. He can’t sing, and if ‘donnish’ can mean ‘erratic’, then it accurately describes his driving. Only through Jeremy can one make a new friend while suppressing giggles in chapel during his rendition of ‘O God, our help in ages past’.

Be he at high table, in the Garrick or in the Greek taverna in Summertown, he is a master of conversation. ‘Remember — all white wine is non-alcoholic.’ His private language is like a passport to humour for all who now adopt it. ‘Ah! You wicked old thing. What deep gigglette and shriekino.’

If there are no more dons like Jeremy Catto, where are our universities heading? The insatiable thirst for firsts risks narrowing the purpose and benefits of a university education. Too many professors and tutors look on extracurricular activity with undisguised scorn. But a university education should be the most potent of all civilising experiences. Library slaves who know little else of the world will not make their best contribution to its improvement. University life is not just a knowledge machine: it should build characters and confident opinions.

If any university, especially Oxford, intends to draw on the financial generosity of its alumni, it will need to pay careful attention to what they think of the institution they once attended. Oriel’s successful endowments over the last few years are in no small part down to the admiration donors have for Catto.

Jeremy Catto embodies the true idea of a university. His retirement marks the end of one of the most constant influences in Oxford life. It should also mark the start of some serious questioning about what an Oxford education — or one at any university — should entail. His many admirers are a worldly bunch. When they gather in college to honour him at the end of June, I would not like to be the Dean who has to contain their unrestrained cheers for this don of all dons.

Alan Duncan MP was president of the Oxford Union, and is now shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

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