John Penrose Barron, (27 April 1934 – 16 August 2008) was a British classical scholar. He was Director of the Institute of Classical Studies, University of London from 1984 to 1991, and Master of St Peter's College, Oxford, from 1991 to 2003.

Early life and education

Barron was born on 27 April 1934 in Morley, Yorkshire, England. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, an all-boys

independent school An independent school is independent in its finances and governance. Also known as private schools, non-governmental, privately funded, or non-state schools, they are not administered by local, state or national governments. In British Eng ...

in Wakefield, and at Clifton College, then also an all-boys independent school in Bristol. He matriculated into

Balliol College, Oxford Balliol College () is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. One of Oxford's oldest colleges, it was founded around 1263 by John I de Balliol, a landowner from Barnard Castle in County Durham, who provided the f ...

, in 1953; he had originally intended to study law but was convinced by a college tutor to switch to '' Lit. Hum.'' (

Classics Classics or classical studies is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, classics traditionally refers to the study of Classical Greek and Roman literature and their related original languages, Ancient Greek and Latin. Classics ...

). Among his tutors were Kenneth Dover and Russell Meiggs. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class Bachelor of Arts (

B.A Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...

) degree in 1957. He remained at Oxford to study for a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree under the

supervision Supervision is an act or instance of directing, managing, or oversight. Etymology The English noun "supervision" derives from the two Latin words "super" (above) and "videre" (see, observe). Spelling The spelling is "Supervision" in Standard E ...

of Antony Andrewes, which he completed in 1961. His doctoral thesis was on the early history of Samos, and was titled ''The history of Samos to 439 B. C.''.

Academic career

Barron began his academic career in 1959, having been appointed an assistant lecturer in Latin at Bedford College, London: he was promoted to lecturer in 1961. In 1964, he joined University College, London as a lecturer in archaeology. He was appointed Reader in Archaeology and Numismatics in 1967. In 1971, he was appointed Professor of Greek Language and Literature at King's College, London: he was therefore appointed to a chair at the unusually young age of 37. He was Head of the King's Department of Classics from 1972 to 1984, and Dean of its Faculty of Arts from 1976 to 1980. He then moved into leadership positions in the wider University of London, serving as Director of the Institute of Classical Studies from 1984 to 1991, and Dean of the Institute for Advanced Study from 1989 to 1991. He was "instrumental in setting up the University of London Institute for Advanced Study", an body which brought together the various research institutes of the university: it would go on to become the School of Advanced Study. In 1991, Barron was elected the 7th Master of St Peter's College, Oxford. He would go on to serve two five-year terms and a two-year extension, before retiring in 2003. During his time as master, he increased the number of female students at his college from fewer than 30 percent to almost half. He also greatly expanded the physical footprint of the college, adding three new buildings. He also attempted to add the former Oxford Prison to the portfolio but this was vetoed by the college's governing body. He was also Chairman of the Conference of Colleges, the association of Oxford Colleges, from 1993 to 1995, and Chairman of the University of Oxford's Admissions Committee from 1997 to 2000. As the latter, he aimed to widen the university's intake, and encouraged an increase in the number of state educated students. In retirement, he was an honorary fellow of St Peter's College, Oxford and a visiting professor at King's College, London.

Personal life

In 1962, Barron married Caroline Mary Hogarth, a medieval historian. She is the granddaughter of

David George Hogarth David George Hogarth (23 May 1862 – 6 November 1927), also known as D. G. Hogarth, was a British archaeologist and scholar associated with T. E. Lawrence and Arthur Evans. He was Keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford from 1909 to 1927. Hog ...

, a noted archaeologist and decorated naval intelligence officer. Together they had two daughters. After a short time living with

pancreatic cancer Pancreatic cancer arises when cell (biology), cells in the pancreas, a glandular organ behind the stomach, begin to multiply out of control and form a Neoplasm, mass. These cancerous cells have the malignant, ability to invade other parts of t ...

, Barron died on 16 August 2008 in London, England: he was aged 74.

Selected works

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References

External links

St Peter's College – Archives: The Papers of Professor John Barron
{{DEFAULTSORT:Barron, John 1934 births 2008 deaths British classical scholars Academics of Bedford College, London Masters of St Peter's College, Oxford Classical scholars of the University of London People from Morley, West Yorkshire People educated at Clifton College Alumni of Balliol College, Oxford Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries of London Members of Academia Europaea Academics of University College London Classical archaeologists British numismatists Academics of King's College London Deaths from pancreatic cancer People educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, Wakefield Deaths from cancer in England