Few things would have surprised, or indeed amused, Father Paul Nevill more than that someone should think it suitable to write about him in the pages of The Life of the Spirit. And that is a clue to the sort of man he was. During his thirty years as Headmaster at Ampleforth, Father Paul met many thousands of persons, very few of whom will not have been struck by the impact of his personality. He has been called the greatest of modern headmasters. Certainly it is true that his prestige not only among the senior officials of the Ministry of Education but also among his fellow members of the Headmasters’ Conference was very great. Yet his position as Headmaster of Ampleforth had little to do with the influence he attained. With his fine presence-great height, magnificent head, and natural grace—he was made for fame; but natural gifts of themselves achieve little the union in him of grace and nature that won him the unique place that was his in the educational world of this country.