This chapter explores how Robert Moses’ postgraduate years at Oxford shaped his character, ambitions, and outlook on the world. Arriving at Oxford after graduating from Yale, Moses entered a university steeped in tradition and privilege, where a strong sense of public service was woven into daily life. Immersed in this aristocratic environment, Moses’ natural intelligence and idealism flourished, but so did his sense of entitlement. He quickly made his mark, becoming the first American president of the Oxford Union and leading the water-polo team, achievements that set him apart both socially and academically.
Moses embraced Oxford’s flexible academic system, using his free time to travel across Europe and Egypt. These journeys expanded his worldview and helped him forge connections with members of the social elite. The influence of Oxford stayed with Moses long after he left. He adopted a casual approach to dress and developed an apparent indifference to money, both of which projected an air of upper-class ease. More importantly, his time at Oxford deepened his respect for British institutions and inspired his vision for American government.
Moses emerged as a strong advocate for public service led by a highly educated elite, believing that the United States should model its civil service on the British system. He dismissed accusations of elitism, insisting that true meritocracy depended on intellectual excellence and that leadership should be reserved for graduates of the nation’s top universities. This blend of idealism and class-based arrogance became a hallmark of his public persona, evident in his controversial statements and his belief in limiting advancement to the privileged few. The chapter closes with Moses leaving academic life behind, ready to enter public service with the attitudes and ideals he had absorbed at Oxford.