Oliver Lyne


Richard Oliver Allen Marcus Lyne, also known as R.O.A.M. Lyne, was a British academic and classicist specialising in Latin poetry. He was a tutor in classics at Balliol College and Professor of Classical Languages and Literature at the University of Oxford.

Early life

Lyne was born on 21 December 1944 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England, to Richard and Rosalind Lyne. He was educated at Highgate School, then an all-boys independent school in London, where his father was a teacher of Latin. He studied classics at St John's College, University of Cambridge. His tutor was Guy Lee. In 1966, he graduated with a first class Bachelor of Arts degree. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy degree, also from the University of Cambridge, in 1970. His doctoral supervisor was F. R. D. Goodyear.

Academic career

While undertaking his doctorate, Lyne held two held short-term fellowships; at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and at Churchill College, Cambridge. In 1971, he moved to the University of Oxford where he became a Fellow of Balliol College. In 1999, he was appointed Professor of Classical Languages and Literature.

Death

On 16 March 2005, Lyne died at the age of 60 having suffered a heart attack while at his holiday home located in Marche, Italy.

Personal life

Lyne married Linda in 1969. He had met her when they were both students. Together they had two children; Raphael, born 1971, and Rosy, born 1973.
His older brother is Adrian Lyne, a film director.

Select works

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