PRICE, HUGH (1495? - 1574), founder and first benefactor of Jesus College, Oxford

Born at Brecon, son of Rhys ap Rhys. He was educated at Oxford and took the degree of doctor of canon law in 1526. Price was appointed first prebendary of Rochester in 1541, and he held the prebend until his death. In 1571 he became treasurer of S. Davids cathedral. Towards the end of his life he decided to devote his money and estate to the establishing of a new college in Oxford, and he petitioned queen Elizabeth. By letters patent of 27 June 1571, the new society was given its charter of incorporation as a college - the first college to be founded in Oxford after the Reformation. In the charter, the queen herself is named as foundress of the college, and Hugh Price is described as the original benefactor. According to Price's will, however, it is clear that he considered himself to be the founder; he left land to the value of £60 per annum to the college. He died in August 1574 (his will, dated 8 August, was proved 31 August), and was buried in Brecon priory.

Author

• Professor Idris Llewelyn Foster, (1911 - 1984)

Sources

• Anthony Wood, Athenae Oxonienses … to which are added The Fasti (1813–20), i
• Theophilus Jones, Edwin Davies, Joseph Russell Bailey, History of the County of Brecknock (1909-1930), ii, 144-6
• The English historical review, 1895
• Hardy, Jesus College (1899), 1899
• Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Further Reading

• Wikipedia Article: Hugh Price

Additional Links

• Wikidata: Q5932383

Published date: 1959

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