Ralph Kettell

He was nominated to a scholarship at Trinity in 1578 by Lady Elizabeth Paulet of Tittenhanger, the widow of Sir Thomas Pope, founder of the college.

Among those who as students were under his care while he was either tutor or president were the bishops Gilbert Sheldon, Henry Glenham, William Lucy, Gilbert Ironside, and Robert Skinner; also Sir John Denham, James Harrington, Edmund Ludlow, Henry Ireton, George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore and Cecilius Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, William, Earl of Craven, and Sir Henry Blount.

He saved the old paintings in the college chapel from the puritan commissioner, William Fiennes, 1st Viscount Saye and Sele.

Outside Oxford Kettell held the rectory of Garsington, which was attached to his office of president, and was private chaplain to Sir Francis Walsingham's widow and to Thomas Bilson, Bishop of Winchester.

Aubrey states that "he had two wives, if not three, but no child", and that his second wife was the widow of Edward Villiers of Hothorpe Hall, Northamptonshire, whose daughter Elizabeth married George Bathurst and was the mother of Ralph Bathurst, president of Trinity College; but there are probably some inaccuracies here.