Concerns about the need for a public cemetery were first raised in 1843 when it was noted that all of Oxford's churchyards were overcrowded and were a threat to the city's health
Parochial clergy resisted the attempts to create a general cemetery at this time and 3 new parish burial grounds were opened in 1848
Concerns persisted and the issue was raised again in 1876 with many rate-payers supported by the medical officer of health asking for the establishment of a general cemetery
The result was that Oxford Local Board was constituted a Burial Board in the same year
Purchases of land for new cemeteries began in 1883 when the Cemetery Committee of the Local Board began negotiations for land in Rose Hill; the purchase was finally agreed in 1889
Additional land was then purchased by the newly formed Corporation of Oxford in Rose Hill Cutteslowe (Wolvercote Cemetery) and Botley in 1890
The fourth cemetery - Headington Parish Council Cemetery - became a public burial ground for the city in 1928 Management of the burial grounds initally fell under the City Engineers Department
Additions and re-referencing by Chris Gilliam June 2022