Westminster School

views updated

Westminster School was founded shortly after the building of Westminster abbey. Henry VIII made the last abbot the first dean of the school in 1540. It was refounded by Elizabeth I 20 years later, connecting the school closely with her father's foundations of Christ Church, Oxford, and Trinity College, Cambridge. The great headmaster Richard Busby during his 57 years at the school (1638–95) increased its prestige, attracting the ruling classes. In 1848 there were eight former pupils in Lord John Russell's ministry. Following the report of the Public School Commission 1864, the school was separated from the abbey, whilst retaining a religious connection.

Peter Gordon

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

Westminster School

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

You Might Also Like

    NEARBY TERMS

    Westminster School