Benjamin Jowett
Benjamin Jowett: A Life of Service and Scholarship
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Benjamin Jowett was born on April 15, 1817, in Weymouth, Dorset, England. He is also known as Ben Jowett, a nickname that has become synonymous with his name.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: April 15, 1817
Died: October 1, 1893
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Jowett was an English clergyman and scholar. He served as the Master of Balliol College, Oxford, from 1860 until his death in 1893.
Early Life and Background
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Benjamin Jowett was born to a family of modest means. His father, William Jowett, was a clergyman who had a profound influence on his son's early life and education. Benjamin's mother, Mary Jowett (née Brown), came from a respectable family and instilled in her children the importance of hard work and determination.
Jowett received an excellent education at Weymouth Grammar School before attending Exeter College, Oxford. During his time at university, he excelled academically and developed a deep passion for classical studies. He graduated with honors in 1844 and went on to become one of the most influential figures in British academia.
Major Accomplishments
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Jowett's accomplishments are numerous and far-reaching:
Master of Balliol College, Oxford: Jowett served as Master of Balliol from 1860 until his death. During his tenure, he oversaw significant reforms to the college, including the introduction of a more inclusive admissions policy.
Biblical Scholar: Jowett was an accomplished biblical scholar and translator. His translations of Greek and Latin texts remain highly regarded to this day.
Educational Reformer: Jowett played a key role in the development of the Oxford Local Examinations, which aimed to provide a more comprehensive education for students beyond Oxbridge.Notable Works or Actions
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Some of Jowett's notable works and actions include:
Translations: Jowett translated several important texts, including Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War.
Biblical Commentaries: He wrote numerous commentaries on biblical texts, demonstrating his deep understanding of classical languages and scholarship.Impact and Legacy
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Jowett's impact on British academia is immeasurable. His commitment to education and reform has inspired generations of scholars:
Inclusive Education: Jowett's introduction of an inclusive admissions policy at Balliol College paved the way for future generations of students from diverse backgrounds.
Classical Scholarship: His translations and commentaries have had a lasting impact on classical scholarship, continuing to influence academia today.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Benjamin Jowett's quotes and writings continue to inspire and educate people around the world. He is widely remembered for his:
Commitment to Education: Jowett's passion for education has left a lasting legacy, shaping the way we think about learning and scholarship today.
* Scholarly Contributions: His translations and commentaries have had a profound impact on classical scholarship, ensuring that his work continues to be widely read and studied.
Quotes by Benjamin Jowett

There is a serious defect in the thinking of someone who wants - more than anything else - to become rich. As long as they don't have the money, it'll seem like a worthwhile goal. Once they do, they'll understand how important other things are - and have always been.

Nowhere probably is there more true feeling, and nowhere worse taste, than in a churchyard.

We cannot seek or attain health, wealth, learning, justice, or kindness in general. Action is always specific, concrete, individualized, unique.

We can’t search or attain well being, wealth, studying, justice or kindness usually. Action is all the time particular, concrete, individualized, distinctive.

If you don’t find a God by five o’clock this afternoon you must leave the college.

Nowhere probably is there more true feeling, and nowhere worse taste, than in a churchyard – both as regards the monuments and the inscriptions. Scarcely a word of true poetry anywhere.

You’ve got to be success minded. You’ve got to feel that things are coming your way when you’re out selling; otherwise, you won’t be able to sell anything.

All translation is a compromise – the effort to be literal and the effort to be idiomatic.

