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Portrait of Dean ColetJOHN COLET (c.1467-1519), Mercer, and Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, founded St Paul’s School in 1509 and at his death he entrusted the Mercers’ Company to administer it and fund it from an endowment of property. 
 
The Company has discharged this duty to this day.  His great friend Desiderius Erasmus explained “And when Colet was asked the reason for so committing this trust to the Mercers’ Company he answered to this effect: that there was no absolute certainty in human affairs, but for his part he found less corruption in such a body of citizens than in any order or degree of mankind”. 
 
Colet spent his entire personal fortune on establishing his school, and the foundation property originally included large areas of Stepney, and Buckinghamshire (now sold), along with land in the City.  In 1904 the foundation also established St Paul’s Girls’ School.  
 
Colet Ordinances
John Colet's portrait painted by William Segar on to the 1585 vellum binding of the 1518 Ordinances of St. Paul's School, Mercers' Company Archives.
 
Find a comprehensive Colet biography and school history at the St. Paul's School website.
Bust of John ColetColet Bust
A contemporary cast in plaster of Dean Colet taken from an early 16th centry original (probably a terracotta) by Pietro Torrigiano (1472-1528), Mercers' Company Art Collection.
 
 
 
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