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3 unusual facts about Downing College


Ian James

Ian James (linguist), Cambridge University lecturer in French and fellow of Downing College, Cambridge

Rodney Barker

After gaining his BA in History from Downing College, Cambridge, he undertook a PhD at the London School of Economics and Political Science, jointly supervised by Richard Titmuss in the Department of Social Administration, and Robert McKenzie in the Department of Sociology.

Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet

Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet, KB (1685–1749) was a politician and, through a donation in his will, the founder of Downing College, Cambridge.


John Maples, Baron Maples

His father, a businessman, lived in the Wirral; he was educated at Marlborough College, before going up to Downing College, Cambridge where he read Law, and played hockey for the college and performed with the Footlights.

Lawrence Collins, Baron Collins of Mapesbury

Collins was born on 7 May 1941 and educated at the City of London School, and then at Downing College, Cambridge, graduating with a starred first in Law.

Miles Clark

As a geography student at Downing College, Cambridge University, he organised an expedition to climb volcanoes and undertake scientific research in Atka, a remote island in the Aleutian archipelago.

Sir George Downing, 1st Baronet

While Downing Street, London, is named after him, Downing College, Cambridge derives its name from his grandson, Sir George Downing, 3rd Baronet.

Stephen Fleet

Stephen George Fleet (September 28, 1936 – May 18, 2006) was a Master of Downing College, Cambridge, the Cambridge University Registrary and a researcher in mineral sciences and crystallography.


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