John Frederick Stenning

John Frederick Stenning, (14 February 1868 – 18 November 1959) was an English Biblical and Semitic scholar, academic administrator, and British Army officer. Elected a Fellow of Wadham College, Oxford in 1898, he was Reader in Aramaic at the University of Oxford from 1909 to 1927 and Warden of Wadham College from 1927 to 1939. Outside of academia, he was a lieutenant colonel in the British Army, and served as commanding officer of Oxford's Officers' Training Corps and also of an Officer Cadet Battalion during the First World War.

Early life and education Stenning was born on 14 February 1868 in Beckenham, Kent, England. He was educated at Merchant Taylors' School, an all-boys public school then in London. In 1886, he matriculated into Wadham College, Oxford as a Hody exhibitioner. Having studied theology, he achieved second class honours in 1889. With the additional administrative duties required from being the head of a college, his readership became honorary, although he did continue teaching. this battalion was part of the Volunteer Force, and as such his service would have been a part-time. He was promoted to lieutenant on 6 September 1905. He resigned his commission on 19 November 1907.

On 26 May 1909, he rejoined the British Army to serve with the newly created Oxford Officers' Training Corps (OTC), and was promoted to the rank of major. From 1916 to 1918, he was also commanding officer of an Officer Cadet Battalion. He relinquished his commission on 11 September 1919 and was allowed to retain his rank.

Personal life Stenning was married to Ethelwyn (née Alexander). In the 1919 King's Birthday Honours, he was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for valuable services rendered in connection with the War.