Ancestors

Britain's greatest and most completely self-made philanthropist is today Lord Nuffield, raised in the New Year's Honors list from baron to viscount (TIME, Jan. 10). About a month ago Nufneld registered privately in high Fleet Street quarters a mild protest at the habit English reporters had of describing him as plain and hearty "Bill" Morris, the bucolic bicycle maker of Oxford who cleverly expanded into building Morris cars and grew so rich in 25 years that to Oxford University alone he has given $17,700,000 (TIME, Oct. 25).

Although Nuffield will be remembered when many a belted earl and many a British statesman are forgotten dust, Mayfair has been too inclined to dismiss his magnificent philanthropies as vulgar show of wealth. Last week, however, aristocrats could read in the Sunday Express about something they appreciated, Viscount Nuffield's ancestors.

Three large, typewritten folios, produced officially by the College of Arms, now trace the new viscount back to William Morrice of Swarford who in 1278 held land in Swarford in the manor of Hooknorton. "Not a quarter of i% of the population," commented the Sunday Express, "can trace their ancestry back this far!"

Down the centuries the name Morrice became Moris, Morres, Morys, then changed to Morris before the present Lord Numeld was born in Cowley. His identified ancestors include mayors, aldermen, country squires, judges, surgeons. Nuffield's father was a Hurst's Grammar School man, but the great philanthropist himself attended only the village school. Hurst's Grammar School never ranked with Eton, but Nuffield many years ago bought it and converted it into his motor firm's offices. Now he owns it, and no 011 Etonian's son owns Eton. For his home he bought the neighboring manor house. According to Viscount Nuffield: "The only true story in the press blurbs about me is that in 1921 I slashed the prices of all my cars -L-100 [$500] when the industry was facing hard times. By the end of the year my sales had easily topped those of all the rest of the industry."

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