John Norman Davidson Kelly FBA (13 April 1909 – 31 March 1997) was a British theologian and academic at the University of Oxford and Principal of St Edmund Hall, Oxford, between 1951 and 1979, during which the hall transformed into an independent constituent college of the university and later a co-educational establishment.

[4] At Queen's, he read Literae humaniores (classics) and theology, and graduated with a first-class honours Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1934.

[3] Before completing his diaconal year he was invited to return to Oxford as chaplain and tutor in theology and philosophy at St Edmund Hall by the then principal, A.B.

During World War II, he wished to become a military chaplain but Emden would not release him, and he instead undertook linguistic work for the Foreign Office.

[7] The process, started by Emden in 1937, was brought to fruition in 1958 when Kelly secured the co-operation of Queen's and obtained for the Hall a Charter of Incorporation, presented by the Duke of Edinburgh.

During his tenure as Principal, Kelly oversaw a major fund-raising programme which allowed the building of new student accommodation and dining facilities.