John Tresidder Sheppard


Sir John Tresidder Sheppard, MBE was an eminent classicist and the first non-Etonian to become the Provost of King's College, Cambridge.

Early life

John Sheppard was educated at Dulwich College. He went up to King's College, Cambridge where he studied Classics and won the Porson Prize.

Career

He was a lecturer in classics at King's College of Cambridge University from 1908–1933 and was provost from 1933–1954. During the Second World War he performed intelligence work, for which he was appointed MBE; he was knighted in 1950 for his services to Greek. During his long career he translated many famous Greek classics, and published several books on the subject, including The Pattern of the Iliad, Greek Tragedy, and Aeschylus & Sophocles: Their Work and Influence.

Personal life

John Sheppard was openly homosexual. He was knighted in the 1950 King's Birthday Honours List.