author
J. (Joseph) Wells
1855–1929
An Oxford classicist and historian who helped shape university life in the early 20th century, he wrote clearly about Rome, Herodotus, and Oxford itself. His work blends scholarship with an easy sense of place and tradition.
3 Audiobooks
The Charm of Oxford
by J. (Joseph) Wells
A Commentary on Herodotus
by W. W. (Walter Wybergh) How, J. (Joseph) Wells
The Oxford Degree Ceremony
by J. (Joseph) Wells
About the author
Born on 30 December 1855, Joseph Wells was a British author, classical scholar, and long-serving Oxford academic. He was educated at Reading School and The Queen's College, Oxford, later becoming a tutor and then Warden of Wadham College. He also served as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1923 to 1926.
Wells wrote on both the ancient world and the university he knew so well. His books include studies of Herodotus and Rome, as well as works on Oxford and its colleges, reflecting his interests as both historian and teacher. That mix of deep learning and firsthand experience gave his writing a steady, informed voice.
He died in 1929, but he remains an interesting figure for readers drawn to classical history, academic life, and the world of Oxford in an earlier age. His books are especially appealing for anyone who enjoys thoughtful, well-grounded nonfiction from a scholar who was also closely involved in the institutions he described.