Remembering Sir Anthony Kenny

Tuesday 25 August, 2026

Rhodes Scholars pay tribute to Sir Anthony Kenny, former Warden of Rhodes House, who died earlier this month.

It is with great sadness that we learnt of Sir Anthony Kenny’s passing on 3 August, at the age of 95. He was Warden of Rhodes House from 1989 to 1999, and he and his wife, Lady Nancy Kenny, were much loved by generations of Scholars.

Sir Kenny wrote about his time at Rhodes House: "My wife and I enormously enjoyed the ten years that we lived in Rhodes House. Entertaining Scholars was always a delight, and their Oxford careers provided remarkably few pastoral problems. Travelling the world to observe Selection Committees was fascinating, and I was enormously fortunate to have as collaborators devoted National Secretaries, many of whom have remained lifelong friends."

Sir Anthony Kenny

"I was grateful that Tony Kenny was my moral tutor and moral philosophy tutor in 1968–69, and I am grateful that he accepted a visit from my wife, Libby, and me at his home in June, 2026. Not only did I benefit from his teaching during that decades-long relationship, but also from his example of how to live a good life."

Ron Katz (Missouri & Balliol 1967)

"I have fond memories of Sir Anthony from my time at Oxford, when he was Master of Balliol. I was at Somerville but very active in the peace movement and I remember attending his lectures on the moral indefensibility of nuclear deterrence. He was a deeply ethical man and an ally to our movement.

I also have a distinct recollection of noticing an overladen apple tree in I believe the garden of the Master's residence and asking whether he minded me picking them (they were going to waste). He gave his consent (I wish I still hade the note he sent--back in those days we used pigeon post) and I made chutney from them that Ginny Fletcher served at Rhodes Scholar lunches/dinners.

My condolences to his family. May they find comfort in knowing he was much loved and respected by many."

Jean McCollister (Washington & Somerville 1982)

"I am very sad to hear about the passing of Sir Anthony, who was Warden during my time and personally very kind to me. Indeed, I have read a fair bit of his prolific output, and can confirm that his work on emotions, philosophy of action, mediaeval philosophy, philosophy of religion, and Wittgenstein has been very influential.

One memorable recollection of Sir Anthony that I would like to share involves the orientation at Rhodes House in Michaelmas 1991 for all incoming Scholars, when I believe the current Warden, Chrystia Freeland, would also have been present.

In his remarks, Sir Anthony said, "Cecil Rhodes was undoubtedly a great man." And then he paused, while many of us tried to digest what he had just said. With a smile, he then continued, "It is much harder to argue, however, that Rhodes was a good man!" That nicely sums up the complicated legacy of Cecil Rhodes.

With heartfelt condolences to Lady Nancy, and the family"

Saam Trivedi (India & Balliol 1991)

Sir Anthony Kenny

"I recall meeting Sir Anthony at our first Rhodes House get-together as newly arrived Scholars in 1994. He was soft spoken, affable and like a very Oxford Don gently asked me about myself and my college. As we spoke he showed great surprise that I seem to know so much about England although I had just landed.

Over time we spoke often, and we discussed quite many things from botany to travels. As I wondered what i would do for a career he was always assuring but neither too sympathetic nor too critical. I admired that and respected him as a guide and good resource. I always enjoyed reading his Christmas Letters which felt thoughtful and full of genuine old fashioned charm and wit.

Please convey my deep condolences and regards."

Kakoli Ghosh (India & Queen's 1994)

"I had great pleasure working with Sir Anthony as the India Secretary for the Rhodes Scholarships in India. He sat on one of the selection committees that we had in Calcutta. Vibha and I greatly enjoyed his and Nancy's time both in India and several times at Rhodes House. He was a true Academic scholar, but more than that, I think he was a very generous and polite person. We will all miss him."

Virander Chauhan ( India & St Catherine's 1974)

"I was so saddened to hear of Warden Kenny's passing, and my heart goes out to the whole family during this time.

As a 1995 India Rhodes Scholar, I had the privilege of knowing Warden Kenny as a true guide and sponsor during some of the most formative years of my life. He took a genuine interest in my growth, not just as a student but as a person finding my way. I remember our conversations so clearly, sitting down with him to talk through my hopes of extending my studies toward an MBA, or making the case for travel grants that would let me see and learn more of the world. He listened carefully every time, asked the right questions, and always helped me think things through with patience and honesty. He had a way of making big decisions feel manageable.

Lady Kenny, too, was a steady and reassuring presence throughout those years. Her wisdom and warmth left a real mark on me, and I remember her kindness as clearly as I remember his guidance.

I carry those years, and the encouragement Warden Kenny gave me, with real gratitude. He shaped my path in ways I still recognise today.

To the family, please know how deeply he was respected and how fondly he will be remembered. Wishing you comfort and peace in the days ahead."

Roopa Unnikrishnan (India & Balliol 1995)

"As a Canadian Rhodes Scholar from 1992 to 1994, I found Sir Anthony to be unfailingly kind, perceptive and encouraging.

While waiting to be introduced to him for the first time at Rhodes House, I had time to examine the inscriptions memorializing staff who had made the ultimate sacrifice during the wars. When we met, I remarked on the memorial to assistant porter Reginald George Collins, who had been killed aboard the HMS Jervis Bay during that ship's heroic defence of a convoy against the German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer.

Sir Anthony, with his encyclopaedic knowledge, immediately recognised the source of my interest, and observed that the Jervis Bay had been refitted for war in my home city of Saint John, New Brunswick and that a number of my countrymen had served aboard her.

I shall always be grateful to him for his kindness to incoming Scholars and his wise advice to each of us as we departed. Please accept my most sincere condolences."

Eric Marks (Maritimes & Lady Margaret Hall 1992)

Two Generations Of Wardens — *Two generations of Wardens: Sir Anthony Kenny and Lady Nancy Kenny (left) pictured together with Dr Robin Fletcher and Ginny Fletcher (right).*

"As a Rhodes Scholar who matriculated at Oxford in 1992, I will always remember Sir Anthony’s warm and welcoming speech at Rhodes House. I also fondly remember attending his Christmas gatherings, where the Scholars came together to sing Christmas carols."

Juan Boon Tan (Malaysia & Linacre 1992)

"The Association of German Rhodes Scholars will remember Sir Anthony Kenny with great gratitude for the special and strong support he provided to German Rhodes Scholars. Sir Anthony took an outstanding interest in the changes taking place in Germany after its reunification and made it possible to increase the number of Scholars for Germany from two to four for several years.

In 1995, 25 years after the second reinstatement of the Rhodes Scholarships in Germany, Sir Anthony encouraged the foundation of the Association. He and Lady Kenny honoured the first meeting in Berlin with their kind attendance. It was a remarkable event with speeches by Scholars of the second and third generation in the presence of Dr Clarita von Trott, the widow of Adam von Trott, Balliol, 1931, who was executed for plotting against Hitler.

In 1998, Sir Anthony was most helpful in organising the first Rhodes lecture by the Association in Oxford. The lecture, entitled „The Legacy of the 20th of July 1944“ was held by the historian and editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Professor Joachim Fest. Sir Anthony supervised the planning while German Scholars in residence promoted it. The Milner Hall was packed and the lecture was a most motivating success.

We will remember him fondly and with gratitude and are thinking of his family and friends."

Karen Braun-Munzinger (Germany & Merton 2000) and Lippold Von Klencke (Germany & St John's 1970)

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