The Koch History Centre

This exciting collaborative venture between the Faculty of History and Wadham College marks a profoundly impactful philanthropic contribution aimed at furthering the study of history on a global scale.

The Centre has been funded by the author, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Richard Koch (History, 1968). Richard attributes much of his success in business back to his early education at Wadham, not least the influence of his Tutorial Fellows, Cliff Davies and Pat Thompson, and more recently Jane Garnett.

Professor Tehila Sasson, Tutorial Fellow in History at Wadham, welcomed the new Centre:

“The appointment of twelve Koch Fellows each year from all over the world will greatly enrich the study of history at Oxford, offering the Fellows the opportunity to engage with the interdisciplinary research culture fostered at Wadham. The Centre marks an important moment for Wadham and the Faculty of History”.

Richard Koch said:

“At the age of 18, I was taught to think. My wonderful tutors, Cliff Davies and Pat Thompson, spent an hour a week with me, alone, giving me the opportunity to learn from their sceptical minds, and to imitate them in probing hard historical issues and creating new insights. I was not their equal at all, but in treating me as such I learned so much. I am convinced that only the tutorial system can do this, and that history is the perfect subject for training people how to have great new ideas. I have made discoveries in business theory and practice that I would not otherwise have had a chance of making. It gives me enormous pleasure to make a small contribution back to Wadham, to history, and to accomplished yet young historians who will publish great works. I would like to thank Robert Hannigan and Jane Garnett for making this possible: I admire what you are doing, your openness and generosity, and your love and care for this fantastic College.“

Robert Hannigan, Warden of Wadham, said:

“We are deeply grateful to Richard for this gift. It is a powerful validation of the importance of studying history, and a sign of confidence in the humanities. It also underlines the life-changing impact of the tutorial education which we have maintained here at Wadham over the generations”.