History
The will of Cecil John Rhodes (1853-1902) created scholarships which came to be called the Rhodes Scholarships, and appointed Trustees to oversee the implementation of Rhodes's vision.
Rhodes designed the Scholarships for the purpose of educating future leaders for the world who would be committed to promoting the public good, and whose interactions in Oxford would help over time to promote international understanding and harmony. He had studied at Oxford and believed that its collegiate system especially fostered broad views and personal development.
There were originally 52 scholarships. During the ensuing 100 years, the Trustees added at one time or another approximately another 40 Scholarships, though not all have continued. Some of these extended the scheme to countries not mentioned in the will.
The first women Rhodes Scholars came to Oxford in 1977.
In 2003, to mark the centenary of the Rhodes Scholarships, to continue the historic commitment of the Rhodes Trust to Africa and specifically to leadership development for Africa, and to honour Nelson Mandela, the Rhodes Trust joined in the creation of the Mandela Rhodes Foundation.
To view video interviews of Rhodes alumni discussing the Scholarship, click here.
Chairs of the Rhodes Trust
The Earl of Rosebery, 1902-1917
Viscount Milner, 1917-1925
Sir Otto Beit, 1925-1930
Lord Lovat, 1930-1933
The Rt Hon L. S. Amery, 1933-1955
Sir Edward Peacock, 1955-1962
Sir Kenneth Wheare, 1962-1969
Sir George Abell, 1969-1974
Viscount Harcourt, 1974-1979
Sir William Paton, 1979-1982
Lord Blake, 1983-1987
Sir John Baring (Lord Ashburton), 1987-1999
Sir Richard Southwood, 1999-2002
The Rt Hon Lord Waldegrave, 2002-
Wardens of Rhodes House
Sir Francis Wylie, 1903-1931
Sir Carleton Kemp Allen, 1931-1952
Sir Edgar Williams, 1952-1980
Dr Robin Fletcher, 1980-1989
Sir Anthony Kenny, 1989-1999
Dr John Rowett, 1999-2004
Sir Colin Lucas, 2004-2009
Dr Donald Markwell, 2009-
Reading
R.I. Rotberg, The Founder: Cecil Rhodes and the Pursuit of Power (Oxford University Press, New York, 1988).
Anthony Kenny (ed.), The History of the Rhodes Trust (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2001).
Philip Ziegler, Legacy: Cecil Rhodes, The Rhodes Trust and Rhodes Scholarships (Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2008).
These books are available for purchase through Rhodes House. Please contact: admin@rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk.
