Durrant, William Scott (d.1932), leader of the Reading Circle

Established the Reading Circle in 1893 and accompanied many Polytechnic Touring Association tours to Europe as a guide, including trips to Central Europe, Norway,
Normandy, the Mediterranean and the Tyrolean Alps.

He was also involved with the French Society, Rambling Club, German Society, Mutual Improvement Society and continued Quintin Hogg’s Sunday afternoon lecture series on Egypt, which Hogg died before completing.

His career included work as a clerk at the India Office from 1879–97, an income-tax assessor between 1903–13 and in 1919 he became Deputy Accountant-General. In 1921 he was awarded a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire. He was also clearly esteemed by Hogg, who, in 1896, after only three years of the Circle, presented him with two bronze busts of Cromwell and Carlyle.

Educated at Whitgift Grammar School, Croydon and Lycée, St Omer. Graduated from London University with Honours in French in 1888. Also obtained an MA in Classics.