Childhood, youth, and education Dorothy L. Sayers

christ church cathedral, oxford, near sayers s father headmaster of choir school

sayers, child, born on 13 june 1893 helen mary (née leigh) @ headmaster s house, christ church cathedral school, oxford. mother born @ chestnuts , millbrook, hampshire, frederick leigh, solicitor family roots in isle of wight. father, rev. henry sayers, m.a., littlehampton, west sussex, chaplain of christ church , headmaster of choir school.

when sayers six, father started teaching latin. grew in tiny village of bluntisham-cum-earith in huntingdonshire after father given living there rector. church graveyard next elegant regency-style rectory features surnames of several characters mystery 9 tailors; nearby river great ouse , fens invite comparison book s vivid description of massive flood around village.

from 1909, educated @ godolphin school, boarding school in salisbury. father later moved simpler living of christchurch, in cambridgeshire.

in 1912, sayers won scholarship somerville college, oxford studied modern languages , medieval literature. finished first-class honours in 1915. women not awarded degrees @ time, sayers among first receive degree when position changed few years later; in 1920 graduated ma. experience of oxford academic life inspired penultimate peter wimsey novel, gaudy night.