Former pupil awarded top First from Oxford

Cheadle Hulme bibliophile David Illingworth has recorded the top first class honours degree in English Literature by any Oxford University student this year. The former King’s School pupil was this year’s valedictorian from hundreds of students across all the Oxford colleges.

Now working for the Civil Service, initially seconded to the Ministry of Defence, David read English to satisfy a passion for literature rather than for practical purposes.

“I chose English because I wanted to read for three years. It has little practical relevance though it certainly has taught me how to assimilate, assess and criticise a vast volume of information quickly and clearly and that’s a skill which is highly relevant in many working roles.”

David specialised in 17th and 18th century literature particularly John Milton and Lawrence Sterne, but he also recommends William Blake, Alexander Pope, Jonathan Swift and the great medieval poets.

He added: “I enjoyed Beowulf and the medieval elegiac poets, primarily because they have such a different world view, radically different to contemporary thought.”

Head of Foundation, Dr. Stephen Coyne, said: “To get to Oxford to study such a hugely competitive subject such as English Literature is an achievement in itself. To get a first class degree is fantastic, but then to be awarded the best first class degree in your subject across the university is breathtaking.”