John Browne

Who was John Browne?

Dr John Browne D.D. was an Oxford academic and administrator. He was Fellow and Master of University College, Oxford, and also served as Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University.

John Browne was a student at University College and then a Fellow from 1711 to 1739. In 1738, Browne became Archdeacon of Northampton. In 1743, he became a Canon of Peterborough Cathedral. From 1745 he was Master of University College.

In 1753, as Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, Browne chose the design for the Oxford Almanack. This included King Alfred, the supposed founder of University College at the time, in front of the Radcliffe Quad, University College's second quadrangle.

Browne bequeathed his books to the Master of University College and his successors. The library was originally located in a ground-floor room in the Radcliffe Quad of the College. However, when a new Master's Lodging were built, the books were moved there. They form a decorative backdrop in the dining room in fitted bookcases.