Jeremy Catto
A Portrait of the Quintessential Oxford Don
David Vaiani author Sir Alan Duncan author
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Unicorn Publishing Group
Published:14th Oct '24
Should be back in stock very soon
If Hollywood wanted to make a film about Oxford University, the casting team would have to find someone to play Jeremy Catto. Born in 1939, this composite of Goodbye Mr Chips, Porterhouse Blue, and C.P. Snow was the quintessential Oxford don. A gifted teacher, noted scholar, and devoted college man, he enjoyed the most extraordinary network and seemed to know everyone: he was friends with Bryan Ferry, became Harold Macmillan’s drinking companion, taught Princess Margaret her family’s history, had a part to play in General Pinochet’s extradition trial and was even rumoured to be a spy. But he was no mere caricature. Over four decades, he shaped the minds and characters of generations of men and women who went on to prominent roles at Westminster, in the City, in the Church, and in the world of academia. In 2018, his memorial service was attended by over 500 people and his death marked the end of an era in British social, political and academic life.
“Mr Vaiani…proves to be a deft biographer in his first book. He has interviewed a stellar cast of academics, diplomats, bankers and politicians whom Catto mentored to produce a remarkably comprehensive portrait…He has made a distinguished contribution to the genre of biographies of the important people who taught us…” Jamie Blackett, Country Life
“I loved the biography. Beautifully written and very funny and moving.” Harry Mount, The Oldie, Editor
“Vaiani adroitly captures the texture of upper-middle-class Tyneside life in the middle years of the last century…[and he]…has collected anecdotes and recollections from men (and one or two women) who have succeeded in every imaginable walk of life, and all of them speak with unfeigned feeling about how a single languid don, armed with alcohol, made them see the world differently…” Daniel Hannan, The Oldie
"A wonderful tribute and a great read!" Lord Murphy (former Northern Ireland Secretary)
'... affectionate and well-researched biography...' Alexander Larman, The Guardian
'I found the book especially fascinating because Jeremy lived an exciting and varied life, of which I only knew a small part. I read the book, cover to cover, in one day.' Philip Baldwin, OX Magazine
'Vaiani has collected the reminiscences of scores of successful pupils who had Catto as their mentor. The resulting volume is grateful, tender, funny and informing...' Richard Davenport-Hines, The Spectator
ISBN: 9781916846418
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
208 pages