Ronald Syme

Sir Ronald Syme (11 March, 1903 – 4 September, 1989), New Zealand-born historian, was the preeminent classicist of the 20th century.

Life

He was born to David and Florence Syme in Eltham, New Zealand, where he attended primary and secondary school; a bad case of measles would seriously damage his vision during this period. He moved to New Plymouth Boy's High School (a dormitory of which bears his name today) at the age of 15 and was head of his class for both of his two years. He continued to the University of Auckland and Victoria University of Wellington, where he studied French language and literature while working on his degree in Classics. He attended the School of Literae Humaniores at Oriel College, Oxford between 1925 and 1927, graduating with a First Class degree in ancient history and philosophy.

Related Topics:
Eltham, New Zealand - Measles - New Plymouth Boy's High School - University of Auckland - Victoria University of Wellington - French language - Literature - Oriel College, Oxford - 1925 - 1927

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In 1929 he became a Fellow of Trinity College, where he became known for his studies of the Roman army and the frontiers of the Empire. During the Second World War, he worked as a press attaché in the British Embassies of Belgrade (where he acquired a knowledge of Serbo-Croatian) and Ankara, later taking a chair in classical philology at Istanbul University. His refusal to discuss the nature of his work during this period led some to speculate that he worked for the British intelligence services in Turkey, but proof for this theory is lacking.

Related Topics:
1929 - Trinity College - Roman army - Second World War - Belgrade - Serbo-Croatian - Ankara - Istanbul University - Turkey

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In 1949, he was appointed Camden Professor of Ancient History at Brasenose College, Oxford, a position which he held until his retirement in 1970. He was knighted in 1959 and received the Order of Merit in 1976. He continued his prolific writing and editing until his death at the age of 86.

Related Topics:
1949 - Camden Professor of Ancient History - Brasenose College, Oxford - 1970 - Order of Merit

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