A new book celebrating the history of Stonyhurst College, a prominent Jesuit school in the Liverpool Archdiocese, is set for release this month. Stonyhurst 1884–1914: Portrait of an English Catholic School by Henry Sire promises a rich exploration of the college during its zenith as England’s leading Catholic public school.

Sire’s book captures the vibrancy of Stonyhurst life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It highlights the school’s rigorous academic standards, influential figures, and notable alumni, who include an archduke, a son of Oscar Wilde, five Victoria Cross recipients, and MI5 officer Frank Foley—credited with saving 10,000 Jews from Nazi persecution.

Sire situates Stonyhurst’s history within the broader context of public school culture and societal changes of the time. He argues that the college not only excelled academically but also thrived as a centre of Jesuit education, shaping a flourishing Catholic mission in England.

Henry Sire, himself a Stonyhurst alumnus, brings personal insight and scholarly expertise to the work. Educated at Stonyhurst and Oxford, he has authored several acclaimed historical biographies.

Published by Gracewing Press, the hardcover is priced at £50 and will be available from January 2025.