Julian Whitehead (History, 1963)
After reading Modern History as a Baring Founder’s Scholar, Julian went into a career in military intelligence, after which he worked with Historic Royal Palaces. Now retired he combines his undergraduate passions with his professional experience as a writer.
I was one of the very lucky generations who had their university fees paid for by the state and, having got an Oxford degree, was able to get a job with little difficulty. In my case I was particularly fortunate because I was accepted by Hertford as a Baring Founder’s Kin Scholar. The College was rather basic when I went up in 1963, with no running water for most staircases. Although a financially poor college, it retained a certain style and the cutlery in hall was solid silver. I read History and was fortunate to have Felix Markham and John Armstrong as tutors who both certainly had style, and would offer Madeira at tutorials. Oxford gave me the opportunity to have so many experiences. These ranged from a bit of rowing, the Officers Training Corps, and being a member of the Conservative Association Committee, where I was fortunate enough on different occasions to meet and chat to the Prime Minister, and various Cabinet Ministers. I also act in two Hertford plays, one of which was performed at the Playhouse.
After Oxford I joined the Intelligence Corps where I had a wide variety of interesting jobs mainly relating to the Cold War and counter-terrorism. I left the Army in 1998 having been Chief of Staff of the Intelligence Centre and then Deputy Director of Defence Security. Following a spell in industry I ended up with what was for me a perfect job of being Security Advisor at Historic Royal Palaces. My office was at Hampton Court Palace overlooking the Thames, but I was also responsible for a number of other wonderful palaces such as Kensington and the Tower of London. The job combined my knowledge of security, with working in surroundings of major historical importance when I could indulge my lifelong interest in history, which had been developed at Hertford.
In retirement I combine intelligence and history by writing about the history of Intelligence. My first book was Cavalier and Roundhead Spies and my most recent book is Rebellion in the Reign of Charles II. I live in a village near Woodstock, so I am in easy reach of the Bodleian where I suspect I spend more time now that I did as an undergraduate!
I will always be grateful to Hertford for accepting me in the first place and giving me such good experiences to launch me into an unconventional but rewarding working life. I am particularly grateful for Oxford’s social life for as well as giving me good friends, it was while I was at Hertford that I met my wife.