William of Durham

William of Durham (died 1249) is said to have founded University College, Oxford, England. He most likely came from Sedgefield, County Durham, and was educated at Wearmouth monastery and in Paris, France. William of Durham was archdeacon of Caux and, for a few months in 1235, archbishop-elect of Rouen in Normandy, France. When riots broke out in Paris in 1229, he may have led a group of students who moved to Oxford, though this is not confirmed by contemporary sources. It is more certain that he held several wealthy benefices in England and died in Rouen in 1249. In his will, he bequeathed 310 marks, a significant sum, to be invested in rents to support scholars in Oxford. This benefaction resulted in the establishment of one of the first Oxford halls or colleges, which was later named University College.