Why study Classics & Latin?

Famous Classicists

Here is a list of some well-known people who have valued their study of classical languages and cultures. Many, such as Lindsey Davis, Terry Pratchett, and JK Rowling, continue to draw inspiration from the Classics.

Richard Adams (Author); Maeve Binchey (Author); Jo Brand (Comedian); Lindsey Davis (Author); Colin Dexter (Author); Peter Ebdon (Snooker); Stephen Fry (Comedian); Alan Hansen (Football); BP Hayes (Teacher); Seamus Heaney (Author); Denis Healey (Politician); Ian Hislop (Journalist); Joanna Lumley (Actress); Terry Pratchett (Author); Steven Pressfield (Author); JK Rowling (Author); RJD Thornton (Teacher); Ann Widdecomde (Politician).

So, what was it about the Classics which might have appealed to all these famous people?

You gain a greater awareness of how languages work

A surprising number of computer-programmers have studied Latin, and find the sense of linguistic logic they have gained from this very helpful. The study of Latin has also been shown to alleviate dyslexia because of the way it encourages people to focus on how words are constructed.