The College is deeply saddened to learn of the death of Julian Ogilvie Thompson (PPE, 1953) on Friday 11th August.

Julian was a friend and supporter of the College for many years whose legacy will continue to be honoured through the Ogilvie Thompson Graduate Scholarship. This scholarship, established by Julian, provides financial assistance to Worcester graduates embarking on Master’s courses.

A Rhodes Scholar, Julian came up to Worcester after a childhood in Cape Town. After Oxford, he returned to South Africa where he had a successful commercial career for over four decades, later becoming a trustee and driving force behind The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. One of Nelson Mandela’s three official legacy organisations, the Foundation and its associated scholarship funds and empowers young Africans to realise their leadership capabilities.

Julian transformed the lives of hundreds of young people through the opportunities created by his Worcester scholarship and the work of The Mandela Rhodes Foundation. Our thoughts are with Julian’s son Anthony (Geography, 1984) and the rest of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.