Merton College
Preserved but no longer current.
Founded by Walter de Merton (d. 1277), Bishop of Rochester, and Lord High Chancellor in 1264. He was, through this foundation, the originator of the collegiate system still maintained in the older English Universities.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “Merton College” mean?
Founded by Walter de Merton (d. 1277), Bishop of Rochester, and Lord High Chancellor in 1264. He was, through this foundation, the originator of the collegiate system still maintained in the older English Universities.
Is “Merton College” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.