author
John Percival
1834–1918
A Victorian educator, churchman, and sermon writer, he spent decades shaping some of England’s best-known schools before becoming Bishop of Hereford. His work reflects a serious moral voice paired with a lifelong commitment to teaching and public life.
1 Audiobook
Sermons at Rugby
by John Percival
About the author
Born in Westmorland in 1834, John Percival rose from rural beginnings to become one of the most influential English educators of his time. He studied at Queen’s College, Oxford, earned high academic distinction, and went on to build a strong reputation in school leadership.
He was the first headmaster of Clifton College, later served as headmaster of Rugby School, and then became president of Trinity College, Oxford. In 1895 he was appointed Bishop of Hereford, a role he held until his death in 1918.
Percival also wrote and preached throughout his career, and his published sermons remain part of his literary legacy. For readers coming to him as an author, he stands out as a thoughtful Victorian voice whose writing grew directly from a life in education, religion, and public service.