Benjamin Jowett
Benjamin Jowett – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes
Benjamin Jowett (1817–1893) was a preeminent English classical scholar, theologian, Anglican cleric, and reforming master of Balliol College, Oxford. This article explores his life, intellectual contributions, theological controversies, and memorable quotes.
Introduction
Benjamin Jowett, born on 15 April 1817 and deceased 1 October 1893, was an English theologian, classical scholar, and educator who left a lasting mark on Victorian Oxford and on modern thought about faith, philosophy, and classical literature.
Though best known today for his translations of Plato and his role at Oxford, Jowett was also deeply engaged in theology, biblical scholarship, and university reform—often at the cost of controversy and opposition.
His work continues to matter because he sought a middle path: to reconcile faith and reason, to render ancient texts intelligible to modern readers, and to reform institutions so that learning might be more widely accessible.
Early Life and Family
Benjamin Jowett was born in Camberwell, London, as the third of nine children.
At age 12, Jowett won a place on the foundation at St Paul’s School, then located in St. Paul’s Churchyard, where he distinguished himself as a precocious classical student.
From these modest beginnings, Jowett’s early environment instilled both diligence and a deep affinity for classical learning and religious inquiry.
Youth and Education
In 1836, Jowett entered Balliol College, Oxford, on an open scholarship. Fellow in 1838, and in 1839 he graduated with first-class honours.
During his Oxford years, Jowett was influenced by the intellectual currents of his time. Initially, he was drawn toward the High Anglican / Tractarian movement via friendships (e.g. W. G. Ward), but the influence of the “Arnold school” (represented by A. P. Stanley) proved more lasting.
He was ordained a deacon in 1842 and priest in 1845.
His early intellectual explorations included German biblical criticism, philosophy (especially Hegelian ideas), and classical studies—foundations that shaped his later work in both theology and translation.
Career and Achievements
Tutor, Theologian & Controversialist
In 1842, Jowett became a tutor at Balliol and immersed himself in teaching and intellectual mentorship.
His theological work attracted attention and controversy. In 1855 he published The Epistles of St. Paul, a work marked by original and bold thinking. On the Interpretation of Scripture, to Essays and Reviews (1860), a collection which stirred significant debate because of its liberal approach to biblical criticism.
Because of these theological positions, he faced strong opposition from conservative factions in the Church of England.
Oxford Leadership & Reforms
In 1855, Jowett became Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford, even as his salary was initially quite modest.
He was deeply committed to university reform, advocating for broader access for underprivileged students and changes in university tests and requirements.
After decades of scholarly and pedagogical work, he was elected Master of Balliol College in 1870.
From 1882 to 1886 he served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, bringing further initiatives in academic and institutional reforms.
Classical Scholarship & Translation
Jowett’s scholarly reputation rests strongly on his translations and editions of classical works. His Translation of the Dialogues of Plato (with introductions and notes) became a classic in English, making Plato more accessible to Victorian readers.
He also translated Thucydides (History of the Peloponnesian War) and worked on Aristotle (especially Politics).
Though he had intended further works (e.g. Commentary on the Gospels, a Life of Christ), weariness and institutional demands curtailed his later productivity.
Historical Milestones & Context
Jowett’s life spanned a dynamic period in British intellectual and religious culture: mid- to late 19th century, when faith, science, and classical culture were all under reinterpretation.
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The rise of German higher criticism and biblical scholarship posed challenges to traditional Anglican doctrine. Jowett, open to critical methods, situated himself in the reformist currents of his time.
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Oxford itself was undergoing internal tension between traditionalists and reformers; Jowett helped steer Balliol and the university toward more inclusive and modern practices.
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The 1860 publication of Essays and Reviews, and the subsequent ecclesiastical condemnations (e.g. in 1864), placed Jowett amidst doctrinal struggles over the nature and limits of biblical authority.
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His leadership at Balliol coincided with the expansion of British public life—many of his pupils went on to prominent roles in politics, law, and public service, magnifying his indirect influence.
Legacy and Influence
Jowett’s legacy is multifaceted:
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Translations that endure
His clear, accessible translations of Plato, Thucydides, and Aristotle made these works standard references in English for many decades. -
Learner-centered pedagogy
As a tutor and mentor, Jowett emphasized moral and intellectual formation, not mere examination success. Many Oxford students considered him a formative influence. -
Theological bridge-building
Though sometimes cautious, his efforts to reconcile critical scholarship and faith anticipated later liberal theological movements. -
Institutional reform
Under his mastership, Balliol gained prestige, facilities improved, and Oxford’s governance moved incrementally toward modernization. His influence extended through generations of pupils in public life. -
Moral and intellectual exemplar
He was admired not simply as a scholar, but as a person of integrity, humility, and generative influence.
Though he never married and left no direct descendants, his influence lives through his writings, his students, and the institutional changes he championed.
Personality and Talents
Jowett was known for his intellectual modesty, moral seriousness, and a capacity for teaching that combined sympathy and rigor.
He had a gift for clarifying difficult texts and ideas, making them intelligible to students without oversimplification. His translations and commentaries show care, humility, and a respect for the readers.
While clearly a scholar, he was also a man of deep religious sensibility. He was not comfortable in metaphysical systems of certainty, but preferred to bring philosophy into dialogue with moral and spiritual concerns.
He was also a cautious public figure in theological debates: willing to engage, but careful not to alienate unnecessarily. His moderation sometimes cost him immediate acceptance among either extreme.
Famous Quotes of Benjamin Jowett
Here are several well-attributed quotations that reflect his wisdom, style, and temperament:
“Research! A mere excuse for idleness; it has never achieved, and will never achieve any results of the slightest value.”
“Young men make great mistakes in life; for one thing, they idealize love too much.”
“One man is as good as another until he has written a book.”
“Doubt comes in at the window, when Inquiry is denied at the door.”
“The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit of doing them.”
“Never retreat. Never explain. Get it done and let them howl.”
“The real measure of our wealth is how much we'd be worth if we lost all our money.”
“Nowhere probably is there more true feeling, and nowhere worse taste, than in a churchyard.”
These quotations show his toughness, wit, moral seriousness, and his interest in scholarship, humility, and doing good work without seeking praise.
Lessons from Benjamin Jowett
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Cultivate both faith and reason
Jowett modelled a path that neither suppressed critical inquiry nor abandoned religious seriousness. -
Teach with character, not just information
His influence came less from authority and more from his care for students as developing moral and intellectual agents. -
Endurance over acclaim
Though his life included opposition and delay, he persisted in work he judged worthy, trusting that posterity might judge more kindly. -
Make the difficult accessible
He believed in translating (in every sense) complex ideas into forms that serious readers could engage—without diluting them. -
Reform patiently
He worked within institutions, effecting change incrementally rather than by abrupt rupture—though always anchored by principles.
Conclusion
Benjamin Jowett was more than a translator or college master: he was a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern thought, between religious tradition and intellectual inquiry, and between the humbler student and the heights of public life. His work—through his translations, his reform efforts, and his personal example—continues to inspire those who seek an integration of faith, scholarship, and humane purpose.