The trip to London proved successful. Blair was supported in his efforts by John Tillotson, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Protestants King William and Queen Mary II of England were reigning joint monarchs of Great Britain, having just deposed Catholic James II of England in 1688 during the Glorious Revolution.) In 1693, a charter was granted for The College of William & Mary in Virginia, named to honour both monarchs. Blair was made president of the new school for life. He served for 50 years, from 1693–1743, and remains the longest serving president of the college and the sixth longest serving college president in US history.