What famous British actor changed his name to honor his schoolmaster who helped him obtain a scholarship to Oxford University?

Brainyblonde

Richard Burton took his professional name from his former schoolmaster, Philip Burton. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000009/bio Mar 06 04, 10:03 PM

DogRL

OK except Richard Burton did not get a scholarship to Oxford. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:University_of_Oxford Mar 06 04, 10:31 PM

McGruff

There is a widespread myth (perhaps encouraged or even believed by some members of his stoutly working-class family) that Richard Burton "won a scholarship to Oxford at the age of sixteen" but left after six months. The facts, as recorded by Burton himself in his own autobiography and in Richard and Philip, which he co-wrote, are as follows: At the age of sixteen, he was forced to leave school and find work as a shop assistant. His former teacher, Philip Burton, recognising his talent, adopted him and enabled him to return to school. In 1943, at the age of eighteen, Richard Burton (who had now taken his teacher's surname), was allowed into Exeter College for a term of six months study. This was made possible only because it was wartime and he was an air force cadet. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burton_(actor) Mar 07 04, 5:35 AM