New College, college of the University of Oxford, England. New College was founded in 1379 by William of Wykeham, Chancellor of England and Bishop of Winchester. The college now admits male and female graduates and undergraduates. Until 1834 the college enjoyed the privilege of claiming degrees for its students without them having had to take University examinations, and until 1854 its fellows were drawn entirely from the public school Winchester College. The head of college is known as the Warden. Famous alumni include the Labour Party leader Hugh Gaitskell and the novelist John Fowles.