(JOHNSON, Lionel).
Large photograph of the New College Essay Society.
With a pencil note on the verso identifying the photograph, in the hand of A. J. A. Symons. Horizontal crease toward the top, not affecting any of the subjects. Johnson was the president of the Society, described as “the intellectual centre of New College” at the time (by the historian Sir Charles Oman). The photograph shows a group of serious minded young men, dominated by the diminutive Johnson, at the centre of the back row, and tactfully seated so as not to draw attention to his height. He shows a self-confidence at odds with his youthful demeanour.
