Oxfam began in Oxford in 1942 as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief . It was started by a group of Quakers ( which included Marcus Tite ) , social activists , and Oxford academics . Oxfam was originally founded in Oxford in 1942 as the Oxford Committee for Famine Relief by a group of Quakers , social activists , and Oxford academics ; this is now Oxfam Great Britain , still based in Oxford , UK .