Joseph Wells (1855–1929) was a British academic, administrator, and author who spent several decades contributing to the intellectual and institutional life of Oxford University. Born in late 1855, Wells received his early education at Reading School before pursuing higher education at The Queen's College, Oxford. His deep connection to the university shaped his entire professional life, transitioning from a student to an influential educator and leader.\n\nWells began his formal teaching career at Oxford as a tutor in 1883. Over the subsequent decades, he became deeply embedded in the university's governance and academic culture. In 1913, he was appointed Warden of Wadham College, Oxford, a prestigious leadership role that he held for many years. His administrative capabilities and academic standing eventually led to his appointment as the Vice-Chancellor of Oxford University, a position he held from 1923 to 1926.\n\nAs an author, Wells wrote works focused on history and the academic environment of Oxford. His publications and administrative legacy reflect the late Victorian and Edwardian eras of British higher education, capturing a period of transition and tradition within one of the world's oldest universities. He remained a prominent figure in British academia until his death in 1929.