Sir Anthony Seldon on the People who Changed his Life
Here, the author and education commentator introduces us to the people who made him the man he is today…
Winnie the Pooh
Philosophical bear
AA Milne’s stories keep me in touch with a world that is simple, pure and clear. All the best people I have met in my life always have these three qualities. Pooh has more to teach us than any other great philosopher.
St Francis
13th-century preacher
St Francis has also taught me about simplicity and goodness. He’s little read today, and even less followed, but the world would be a far happier and richer place if he was. I believe he will become again a figure of great prominence in the decades to come.
Marjorie Seldon
My mother
We’re all affected deeply by our mums, aren’t we? I only wish I had thanked her enough when she was still alive for all the optimism and potential for joy she gave me. She was utterly selfless and had more influence on me than anyone else.
Jonathan Smith
English teacher
Jonathan taught me about the enchantment and mystery of learning and literature. When he was teaching us for A-level he announced in the first lesson that he didn’t know anything about Yeats so would be learning with us. I loved that honesty. When I was asked to leave my school for organising a demonstration, I was eventually allowed back and lived with him and his wife – no one did more to prepare me for university and life beyond. His first novel, Wilfred and Eileen, was about my grandparents and came out of our many discussions.
William Shakespeare
Playwright
Directing As You Like It on tour in Scotland in the Lake District then Romeo and Juliet with a black Juliet in a college garden in Oxford were the best experiences of my undergraduate years. My love has grown deeper year by year.
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Mahatma Gandhi
Indian activist
I’ve spent much of my life writing about political leaders. Gandhi’s life showed how we can bring about change in non-violent ways, through moral authority and resonant leadership.
Etty Hillesum
Dutch author
Trying to understand and teach happiness has been a big part of my life in schools. It has always been a puzzle why some of the unhappiest people have material benefits in abundance. Etty Hillesum captivates me because the less she had in life, the happier she seemed to become. Born in Holland in 1914, she was deported to Auschwitz and then to Bergen-Belsen. Despite the deprivation, loss and death around her, she dedicated her short life to others and refused to succumb to misery.
Lawrence Dallaglio
Retired rugby player
Sport has been such a high point in my life, even though I’m useless at playing it. Every single child should play sport because it has as much to teach as any academic subject. Dallaglio is among my greatest sporting heroes, as much because of the way he has conducted himself with such humanity and compassion off the field, as for his playing on it.
Sir Anthony Seldon is a political historian and vice-chancellor of the University of Buckingham. He was previously headteacher of Wellington College in Berkshire. Find him at anthonyseldon.co.uk and on Twitter at @anthonyseldon.
