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William Archibald Spooner

(1844-1930), Warden of New College, Oxford and originator of the term 'Spoonerism'

Sitter in 8 portraits
William Spooner was educated at New College, Oxford; he remained at the college for more than sixty years, serving as fellow (1867), lecturer (1868), tutor (1869), dean (1876-89), and warden (1903-30). He lectured on ancient history, divinity, and philosophy, especially Aristotle's ethics. Spooner is best known for the verbal slip named after him, the Spoonerism, where parts of words are switched. Many of the phrases attributed to him are apocryphal however.

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William Archibald Spooner, by Sydney Prior Hall - NPG 2377

William Archibald Spooner

by Sydney Prior Hall
pencil
NPG 2377

William Archibald Spooner, by Walter Stoneman - NPG x162443

William Archibald Spooner

by Walter Stoneman
bromide print, 1924
NPG x162443

William Archibald Spooner ('Men of the Day. No. 711.'), by Sir Leslie Ward - NPG D44903

William Archibald Spooner ('Men of the Day. No. 711.')

by Sir Leslie Ward
chromolithograph, published in Vanity Fair 21 April 1898
NPG D44903

William Archibald Spooner, by J. Cather Webb, after Hugh Goldwin Riviere - NPG D42038

William Archibald Spooner

by J. Cather Webb, after Hugh Goldwin Riviere
mezzotint, (1913)
NPG D42038

Web image not currently available

William Archibald Spooner

by Walter Stoneman
negative, 1924
NPG x162276

Web image not currently available

William Archibald Spooner

by Walter Stoneman
negative, 1924
NPG x162277

Web image not currently available

William Archibald Spooner

by Walter Stoneman
negative, 1924
NPG x162278

Web image not currently available

William Archibald Spooner

by Walter Stoneman
negative, 1924
NPG x162279

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