Claude Aurelius Elliott - Eton College

Eton College

Elliott was Head Master of Eton College from 1933 to 1949. His had been an unlikely selection. For example, he was the first Head Master of Eton who was not in holy orders, and neither his preaching in chapel nor his teaching in school were as impressive as those of his charismatic predecessor. However, he was an effective Headmaster who was respected by the school's governing body for his sound judgement and his administrative skill. He was known to his students as 'The Emperor' because of his imposing presence and his coolness towards the majority of his pupils. Elliott made no significant changes to the school, believing that the selection of good and effective teachers as masters was the school's best way forward.

During World War II some parents suggested that Eton should be moved to a location safe from the bombs of the enemy. If London's poor could not move from London, said Elliott, the Etonians would not move from Eton. Later, in 1940, two bombs did actually fall on Eton, only just missing a library full of studying boys, but this only made him more determined to stand firm. Elliott never did move the school.

In 1949, after sixteen years as Head Master, Elliott was appointed Eton College's Provost, a post he held until 1965. During his fifteen years as Provost he launched an appeal to rebuild and modernise the College. He was responsible for the replacement of the shattered glass in the chapel windows with designs by Evie Hone and John Piper. As Provost it was said that he had done more for the fabric of the school than any of his predecessors for five centuries.