Newcastle Scholarship

The Newcastle Scholarship is an annual prize awarded at Eton College for the highest performance in a series of special written examinations taken over the course of a week. It is the College's most prestigious prize, and for over a century until it changed form in 1976 it was considered the premier school prize examination in England for school students of the Classics (Greek and Latin language and literature) and Divinity (the Bible scriptures). It was instituted and first awarded in 1829 on the initiative and benefaction of Henry Pelham-Clinton, 4th Duke of Newcastle. The Statutes, recorded in 1841, state:

'The design and object of these Scholarships is to promote and encourage a Religious education and sound and useful Learning in general among the Scholars of Eton School, including particularly accurate Scholarship in Greek and Roman literature but most especially and principally to inculcate a thorough knowledge of the Evidence, Doctrines and Precepts of the Christian Religion.'

The winner of the Newcastle Scholarship was awarded a cash prize of £250, a considerable sum in 1829, while the runner-up received a Gold Medal. Originally a series of up to twelve examinations in the ancient languages and in knowledge of Biblical texts, the Scholarship was split into two in 1977, becoming one Prize for Divinity and one for Classics.

Distinguished winners of the Newcastle Scholarship in its original form include Sir Edward Shepherd Creasy (1831), William Johnson Cory (1841), WR Inge (1879), M. R. James (1882), Patrick Shaw-Stewart (1905), Quintin Hogg, Baron Hailsham of St Marylebone (1925), Douglas Hurd (1947) and William Waldegrave (1965, currently Provost of Eton College); those who have also become professional Classicists include Roger Mynors (1922), Charles Willink (1946), Adrian Hollis (1958), Richard Jenkyns (1966) and Armand D’Angour (1976).

Since 1987 the Newcastle Scholarship has been an examination in philosophical theology, moral theory, and applied ethics. Candidates sit two three-hour papers after Long Leave (the mid-term break) in the Lent Half (the winter term). Each paper consists of about 12 questions divided into two sections. Candidates must answer three questions in each paper, at least one chosen from each section.

Since its foundation, many distinguished British theologians and philosophers have been invited to examine the Newcastle. In 1840 William Gladstone was one of the examiners, together with Lord Lyttelton. In addition to setting the papers and marking the scripts, they choose a set book on a theme of their choice, upon which candidates are examined.