Walter Wybergh How

“ As warden he did much to prevent university society from becoming narrow and provincial. His week-end parties kept Oxford in touch with the wider world of politics and letters to which he never ceased to belong. His unfailing flow of conversation and anecdote and old-world courtesy of manner gave him a place of distinction in society, while his fairness, loyalty, and unaffected kindliness won him the love and respect of his college and university.
Brodrick by no means lost all interest in politics when he returned to Oxford. ”

“ In 1856 Brodrick left Oxford for London, and there passed the next twenty-five years of his life. In 1858 he took the degree of LL.B. with a law scholarship at the University of London. He was called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1859, and went the western circuit (1859-62) , but in 1860 turned from law to journalism, joining the staff of 'The Times.' During the next thirteen years he contributed some 1600 leading articles to that newspaper, chiefly on political themes. Journalism was in his case intended to be the prelude to a political career. ”

“ Though his earlier ambitions were anything but academic, Brodrick was elected warden of Merton College, Oxford, on 17 Feb. 1881, and made his chief reputation in that capacity. The only definitely educational position Brodrick had previously held was membership of the London School Board (1877-9) , he being the first member who was co-opted to fill a vacancy caused by death. He had also promoted the University Tests Act of 1870, and he served on the council of the London Society for university extension. ”