Honouring Benefactors & Donors
Merton College was established by philanthropy and has been sustained by benefactors ever since.
Gifts and bequests have supported the intellectual and educational mission of the college for over 700 years, ever since Walter de Merton’s endowment of the College in 1264. Manuscripts consulted by researchers today still bear the names of their medieval donors, while many postgraduates live in the modern accommodation block funded by Takeshi Funahashi. Mertonians are commemorated in the names of teaching and seminar rooms, and the tradition of supporting students’ education dates back at least to John Wyliot’s endowment of postmasterships in the 14th century.
Among the most ancient traditions still observed by the College are the commemoration services for our Founder and Benefactors, which take place every year on the third Sunday of the Michaelmas Term and on Shrove Tuesday. During the service, the Chaplain reads the Benefactors’ Prayer which lists, in the chronological order, the names of our major benefactors since the College’s foundation.
Each year donors are listed in the Donor Report, unless they wish to remain anonymous.
The College has also received over the centuries gifts from benefactors in memory of a loved one. These “In Memoriam” gifts are warmly welcomed by the College, and are recorded in its publications. For those leaving a gift to Merton in their Will, the College has established The Founder’s Society.
