Record

CodeDS/UK/12102
NameWolfenden; Sir; John (26 June 1906-18 January 1985); CBE; British educationalist
Variations of NameBaron Wolfenden; John Frederick Wolfenden
Dates26 June 1906-18 January 1985
GenderMale
Place of Birth/OriginSwindon, Wiltshire, England (born)
RelationshipsFather of Jeremy Wolfenden (foreign correspondent and a spy)
BiographyJohn Frederick Wolfenden, Baron Wolfenden, CBE 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 Shrewsbury private schools.

In 1950 he became Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading and found time to write two books, Family Affair and The Steele Age, both part of the series of 'Take Home Books'.

In 1957, Wolfenden chaired an independent committee initiated by the Central Council of Physical Recreation which investigated the role of various statutory and voluntary groups in sport in the United Kingdom. The committee published its report in 1960, and fifty years later it was still an influential work in its field.

Wolfenden was director of the British Museum from 1969 to 1973.

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