Arthur Spencer Loat Farquharson (1871–1942), who published as A. S. L. Farquharson, was a British

classicist Classics, also classical studies or Ancient Greek and Roman studies, is the study of classical antiquity. In the Western world, ''classics'' traditionally refers to the study of Ancient Greek literature, Ancient Greek and Roman literature and ...

translator Translation is the communication of the meaning of a source-language text by means of an equivalent target-language text. The English language draws a terminological distinction (which does not exist in every language) between ''trans ...

, and

Dean Dean may refer to: People * Dean (given name) * Dean (surname), a surname of Anglo-Saxon English origin * Dean (South Korean singer), a stage name for singer Kwon Hyuk * Dean Delannoit, a Belgian singer most known by the mononym Dean * Dean Sw ...

University College, Oxford University College, formally The Master and Fellows of the College of the Great Hall of the University commonly called University College in the University of Oxford and colloquially referred to as "Univ", is a Colleges of the University of Oxf ...

. His best-known work is the translation of

Marcus Aurelius Marcus Aurelius Antoninus ( ; ; 26 April 121 – 17 March 180) was Roman emperor from 161 to 180 and a Stoicism, Stoic philosopher. He was a member of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty, the last of the rulers later known as the Five Good Emperors ...

' book, ''

Meditations ''Meditations'' () is a series of personal writings by Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor from 161–180 AD, recording his private notes to himself and ideas on Stoic philosophy. Composition Marcus Aurelius wrote the 12 books of the ''Meditations'' i ...

''.

Biography

Arthur Farquharson was born in 1871. He studied at the

University College Oxford University College, formally The Master and Fellows of the College of the Great Hall of the University commonly called University College in the University of Oxford and colloquially referred to as "Univ", is a constituent college of the Univer ...

from 1890 to 1894, where he "obtained a First both in Mods in 1892 and in Finals in 1894". He was a fellow of the college from 1899 to 1942. He was a Dean and read lectures in

logic Logic is the study of correct reasoning. It includes both formal and informal logic. Formal logic is the study of deductively valid inferences or logical truths. It examines how conclusions follow from premises based on the structure o ...

. He participated in revising ''

A Greek–English Lexicon ''A Greek–English Lexicon'', often referred to as ''Liddell & Scott'' () or ''Liddell–Scott–Jones'' (''LSJ''), is a standard lexicographical work of the Ancient Greek language originally edited by Henry George Liddell, Robert Scott, H ...

'' of Liddell and Scott. His best-known work is the translation of

' book, ''

''. His translations of

Aristotle Aristotle (; 384–322 BC) was an Ancient Greek philosophy, Ancient Greek philosopher and polymath. His writings cover a broad range of subjects spanning the natural sciences, philosophy, linguistics, economics, politics, psychology, a ...

's ''

Progression of Animals ''Progression of Animals'' (or ''On the Gait of Animals''; ; ) is one of Aristotle's major texts on biology. It gives details of gait and movement in various kinds of animals, as well as speculating over the structural homologies among living thi ...

'' and ''

Movement of Animals ''Movement of Animals'' (or ''On the Motion of Animals''; Greek Περὶ ζῴων κινήσεως; Latin ''De Motu Animalium'') is one of Aristotle's major texts on biology. It sets out the general principles of animal locomotion In etho ...

'' were published in 1913. The Oxford-based writer

C. S. Lewis Clive Staples Lewis (29 November 1898 – 22 November 1963) was a British writer, literary scholar and Anglican lay theologian. He held academic positions in English literature at both Magdalen College, Oxford (1925–1954), and Magdalen ...

described his encounter with Farquharson in a letter of 26 January 1930 to his friend Arthur Greeves: Farquharson was also a

Colonel Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...

in the Territorial Army.

''Meditations''

Farquharson worked on the translation of ''

'' of the Roman emperor

for many years. The edition was of two volumes. The first volume contained translation and Greek text on opposite pages, and the second one was a lengthy commentary on the text. The book was published during the World War II, after Farquharson's death in 1942. Edition was prepared by Major John Sparrow and David Rees, and published in 1944. Farquharson's translation was received positively by reviewers. It was called "clear and graceful translation ...

hat A hat is a Headgear, head covering which is worn for various reasons, including protection against weather conditions, ceremonial reasons such as university graduation, religious reasons, safety, or as a fashion accessory. Hats which incorpor ...

contains a magnificent collection of illustrative and parallel passages from writers of all ages". Another reviewer noted that " ere has probably been no scholar of recent times better fitted to edit and interpret the meditations of the Stoic Emperor than the late Dr. Farquharson" and that "the new translation is nearly flawless". Another reviewer called it "monumental and beautiful work" that "promises to be the standard edition and commentary of Marcus for a long time to come".

Publications

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farquharson, A. S. L. 1871 births 1942 deaths Place of birth missing Alumni of University College, Oxford Fellows of University College, Oxford 19th-century British translators 20th-century British translators British classical scholars Territorial Force officers British Army colonels