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John Barron (classicist)

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professor
John Barron
FSA MAE
7th Master of St Peter's College, Oxford
In office
1991–2003
Preceded byGerald Aylmer
Succeeded byBernard Silverman
Director of the Institute of Classical Studies
In office
1984–1991
Preceded byEric Handley
Succeeded byRichard Sorabji
Personal details
Born
John Penrose Barron

(1934-04-27)27 April 1934
Morley, Yorkshire, England
Died16 August 2008(2008-08-16) (aged 74)
London, England
EducationClifton College
Alma materBalliol College, Oxford

John Penrose Barron, FSA, MAE (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.[1][2]

Early life and education

Barron was born on 27 April 1934 in Morley, Yorkshire, England.[3] He was educated at Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, an all-boys independent school in Wakefield, and at Clifton College, then also an all-boys independent school in Bristol.[4][5] He matriculated into Balliol College, Oxford in 1953; he had originally intended to study law but was convinced by a college tutor to switch to Lit. Hum. (Classics).[3] Among his tutors were Kenneth Dover and Russell Meiggs.[4] He graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1957.[5] He remained at Oxford to study for a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree under the supervision of Antony Andrewes,[6] which he completed in 1961.[3][5] His doctoral thesis was on the early history of Samos, and was titled The history of Samos to 439 B. C..[3][5][6]

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.[2] In 1964, he joined University College, London as a lecturer in archaeology.[7] He was appointed Reader in Archaeology and Numismatics in 1967.[2]

In 1971, he was appointed Professor of Greek Language and Literature at King's College, London (KCL):[2] he was therefore appointed to a chair at the unusually young age of 37.[7] He was Head of KCL's Department of Classics from 1972 to 1984, and Dean of its Faculty of Arts from 1976 to 1980.[1] 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.[2] 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.[1]

In 1991, Barron was elected the 7th Master of St Peter's College, Oxford.[5] He would go on to serve two five-year terms and a two-year extension, before retiring in 2003.[2][7] During his time as master, he increased the number of female students at his college from fewer than 30 percent to almost half.[8] He also greatly expanded the physical footprint of the college, adding three new buildings.[5] He also attempted to add the former Oxford Prison to the portfolio but this was vetoed by the college's governing body.[9] He was also Chairman of the Conference of Colleges, the association of Oxford Colleges, from 1993 to 1995,[2][10] and Chairman of the University of Oxford's Admissions Committee from 1997 to 2000.[2] As the latter, he aimed to widen the university's intake, and encouraged an increase in the number of state educated students.[9]

In retirement, he was an honorary fellow of St Peter's College, Oxford and a visiting professor at King's College, London.[2][5]

Personal life

In 1962, Barron married Caroline Mary Hogarth, a medieval historian.[5] She is the granddaughter of David George Hogarth, a noted archaeologist and decorated naval intelligence officer.[7] Together they had two daughters.[2]

After a short time living with pancreatic cancer, Barron died on 16 August 2008 in London, England: he was aged 74.[9][4]

Selected works

  • Barron, John P. (1965). Greek Sculpture. London: Studio Vista.
  • Barron, J. P. (1966). Silver Coins of Samos. London: The Athlone Press. ISBN 978-0485110807.
  • Barron, John (1981). An Introduction to Greek Sculpture. London: Athlone. ISBN 9780485111965.

References

  1. ^ a b c "John Barron". Obituaries. Society of Antiquaries of London. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Barron, Prof. John Penrose". Who Was Who. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d Reisz, Matthew (2 October 2008). "John Barron, 1934–2008". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b c Goldman, Lawrence (4 October 2012). "Barron, John Penrose (1934–2008)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-99526. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Professor John Barron". The Daily Telegraph. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b Barron, J. Penrose. "The history of Samos to 439 B.C." Oxford University Research Archive. University of Oxford. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d Griffin, Jasper (18 September 2008). "Obituary: John Barron". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Professor John Barron: classical scholar and an early supporter of the expansion of the university system". The Times. 29 August 2008. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  9. ^ a b c Barron, Katie (10 September 2008). "Professor John Barron: Former Master of St Peter's, Oxford". The Independent. Archived from the original on 29 January 2011. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  10. ^ "About the Conference of Colleges". The Conference of Colleges. University of Oxford. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
Academic offices
Preceded by Master of St Peter's College, Oxford
1991 to 2003 		Succeeded by
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