Jeremy Catto

If Hollywood wanted to make a film about Oxford University, the casting team would have to find someone to play Jeremy Catto. Born in 1939, this composite of Goodbye Mr Chips, Porterhouse Blue, and C.P. Snow was the quintessential Oxford don. A gifted teacher, noted scholar, and devoted college man, he enjoyed the most extraordinary network and seemed to know everyone: he was friends with Bryan Ferry, became Harold Macmillan's drinking companion, taught Princess Margaret her family's history, had a part to play in General Pinochet's extradition trial and was even rumoured to be a spy. But he was no mere caricature. Over four decades, he shaped the minds and characters of generations of men and women who went on to prominent roles at Westminster, in the City, in the Church, and in the world of academia. In 2018, his memorial service was attended by over 500 people and his death marked the end of an era in British social, political and academic life.

David Vaiani was born in Vienna and educated at Oxford. He spent ten years in the corporate world in London before retraining to become a teacher. Today, he teaches History at Cranleigh School, where he is Second in Department as well as an Assistant Housemaster in one of the boarding houses. He is married and lives in the Surrey Hills, but tries to spend as much time as possible in Italy. This is his first book.