Sir john wolfenden biography
LGBT History Month: Lord Wolfenden, the man ahead of his time
John Wolfenden, Baron Wolfenden
British educationalist (1906–1985)
John Frederick Wolfenden, Baron Wolfenden, CBE (26 June 1906 – 18 January 1985) was a British educationalist probably best remembered for chairing the Wolfenden Committee whose report, recommending the decriminalisation of homosexuality, was published in 1957.
He was headmaster of Uppingham and Shrewsburypublic schools.[1]
Early life
Wolfenden was born on 26 June 1906 in Swindon, Wiltshire, England.[2] He was the son of George Wolfenden and Emily Hannah Gaukroger, both born in Halifax, Yorkshire. George Wolfenden became an official of the West Riding Local Education Authority based in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, where John attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School.
He won a scholarship to Oxford.
Professional life
Having studied in Oxford, Wolfenden became a don at Magdalen College, Oxford, in 1929.
John Wolfenden was the headmaster of Uppingham School (1934–1944) and Shrew John Wolfenden - LGBT Archive RUF