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J. P. V. D. Balsdon

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John Percy Vyvian Dacre Balsdon, FBA (4 November 1901 – 18 September 1977) was an English ancient historian. He was a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford from 1927 to 1969, and President of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies from 1968 to 1971.

Early life

Balsdon was born on 4 November 1901 in Bideford, Devon.[1] He was educated at Exeter School, Exeter. He studied classics at Exeter College, Oxford. In 1922, he was awarded first class honours in Mods,[2] and in 1924 he was also awarded first class honours in Greats.[3]

Academic career

Balsdon began his academic career as a teacher at Sedbergh School, then an all boys public boarding school. His first university post was as a Fellow of Keble College, Oxford.[1] From 1927, he was a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford, where he taught Ancient History.[4] His research was primarily in Roman History.[5] In 1940, he was elected Junior Proctor of Oxford University; serving from March 1940 to March 1941.[6] In 1956, he was a candidate for the Rectorship of Exeter College, but lost out to Kenneth Wheare.[1] He served as President of the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies from 1968 to 1971.[1] He retired from full-time academia in 1969.[4] The same year he was elected an emeritus Fellow of Exeter College.[7]

He also wrote novels using the name Dacre Balsdon; his academic works gave his name as J. P. V. D. Balsdon.

He was elected Fellow of the British Academy (FBA) in 1967.[4]

Bibliography

As J. P. V. D. Balsdon:

  • The emperor Gaius (Caligula)
  • Julius Caesar and Rome
  • Roman Women
  • Life and Leisure in Ancient Rome
  • Rome: the Story of an Empire
  • The Romans (editor)

As Dacre Balsdon:

  • Freshman's Folly
  • The Day They Burned Miss Termag
  • Oxford Life
  • Oxford Now and Then

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Obituary: Dr J. P. V. D. Balsdon". The Times. 21 September 1977. p. 16.
  2. ^ "University News - Classical Moderations List". The Times. 10 April 1922.
  3. ^ "University News - Oxford 'Greats' List". The Times. 30 July 1924.
  4. ^ a b c "BALSDON, Dr (04/11/1901-18/09/1977)". Deceased Fellows. British Academy. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  5. ^ http://www.amazon.com/dp/1842125931
  6. ^ "University News: Election of Proctors at Oxford". The Times. 22 February 1940. p. 11. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  7. ^ "University News: Oxford". The Times. 21 October 1969. p. 12.

Further reading

  • P. A. Brunt: John Percy Vyvian Dacre Balsdon, 1901-1977, in: Proceedings of the British Academy 65, 1981, pp. 573–586 (PDF).


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