King Charles approves 485-year-old Oxford Greek professorship

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 30 Oct, 20:50 · Archive

King Charles III has approved Professor Laura Swift as Regius Professor of Greek at Oxford, a role founded by Henry VIII in 1541.

King Charles III has approved Professor Laura Swift as the Regius Professor of Greek at Christ Church College, University of Oxford. The appointment continues a role that has retained royal patronage since its establishment by Henry VIII in 1541, making it 485 years old. Professor Swift succeeds Professor Gregory Hutchinson in the position.

Professor Swift studied Literae Humaniores at Magdalen College, graduating in 2002, and completed her doctorate at Oxford in 2007. After holding posts at Oxford and University College London, she became a lecturer at the Open University in 2012. She returned to Oxford in 2022 as Tutorial Fellow in Classics at Magdalen College and Associate Professor of Greek in the Faculty of Classics, before being awarded the title of Professor in 2024.

Her research focuses on ancient Greek literature, particularly Greek tragedy and lyric poetry. Her doctoral thesis received the Hellenic Foundation Thesis Prize, and her subsequent work has earned an Alexander von Humboldt postdoctoral fellowship and a Philip Leverhulme Prize. She is known for research into the relationship between Greek tragedy and other forms of choral poetry, as well as work on fragmentary ancient texts. Professor Swift has also collaborated with contemporary theatre-makers to explore how ancient texts can inspire new creative work.

How it is being reported

• King Charles approves 485-year-old Oxford role established by Henry VIIIKing Charles III approves Professor Laura Swift as the University of Oxford's Regius Professor of Greek in the historic post founded by Henry VIII in 1541.Oxford Mail · 30 Oct, 20:00
• King Charles approves 485-year-old Oxford role established by Henry VIIIKing Charles III approves Professor Laura Swift as the University of Oxford's Regius Professor of Greek in the historic post founded by Henry VIII in 1541.Oxfordshire Guardian · 30 Oct, 20:00

In this story: King Charles III · Professor Laura Swift · University of Oxford · Christ Church College · Henry VIII · Magdalen College

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