John Barron (classicist)

Professor John Barron
7th Master of St Peter's College, Oxford
In office 1991–2003
Preceded by	Gerald Aylmer
Succeeded by	Bernard Silverman
Director of the Institute of Classical Studies
In office 1984–1991
Preceded by	Eric Handley
Succeeded by	Richard Sorabji
Personal details
Born	John Penrose Barron (1934-04-27)27 April 1934 Morley, Yorkshire, England
Died	16 August 2008(2008-08-16) (aged 74)
Education	Clifton College
Alma mater	Balliol College, Oxford

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 Clifton College, then an all-boys independent school in Bristol. 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). He graduated from the University of Oxford with a first class Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1957. He remained at Oxford to study for a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) degree under the supervision 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..