Peter Parsons

In spite of poor physical health, he remained a model to many younger friends and colleagues for his dedication to scholarship.

Peter matriculated in 1953 as an undergraduate at Christ Church. He studied Lit. Hum. and won many distinctions.  Later he was appointed to a Research Studentship, a post combined with the University Lecturership in Papyrology. He made a huge contribution to many volumes of the Oxyrhynchus Papyri series, editing and commenting on hundreds of new texts, literary and documentary. In addition he assisted in the Classics teaching here for many years and served as Tutor for Graduates for a double term.

In 1989 Peter was appointed Regius Professor of Greek in succession to Hugh Lloyd-Jones, and held the chair until retirement in 2003, serving as Director of Graduate Studies and also chairing the Faculty Board. He continued to be an active scholar in retirement, and maintained countless academic connections across the world. His superb book City of the Sharp-Nosed Fish (2007) offers a wonderful introduction to the world revealed by the papyri from Roman Egypt. He was an FBA and held doctorates from a number of other universities.

Peter was an outstanding classical scholar, and his death is a blow to research. But his many friends will miss still more his witty conversation, his keen sense of humour, and the essential modesty which made him such a loveable man.