Letters penned to a former Oxford College head are expected to raise more than £20,000 for Oxfam at an auction.

Sir William David Ross, a Scottish philosopher, translator, World War One veteran and civil servant, was provost of Oriel College from 1929-47 and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford from 1941-44.

He had an impressive address book and received letters from big names spanning the likes of Albert Einstein, Winston Churchill and Chiang Kai-shek.

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The letter collection was donated to Oxfam by the family of Sir William’s daughter, Katherine Ross.

Oxfam Valuer, Shelley Hitch, said: “We are so grateful for the support of Katharine Ross throughout her life and for her family gifting us such treasured and important letters.

“The money raised will help Oxfam and our partners continue to fight the injustice of poverty around the world.”

One of two letters to Ross from Einstein was written from north Norfolk in October 1933 and is estimated at £4,000 to £6,000.

Two typed letters from Winston Churchill are estimated at £800 to £1,200 each with one offering thanks for a copy of America: The Story of a Free People ‘which has been so kindly dedicated to me as well as to President Roosevelt’.

Oxford Mail: Typed letter from Churchill.Typed letter from Churchill. (Image: Chiswick Auctions)

Chiswick Auctions, which confirmed authenticity of the letters, will be auctioning them on October 10.