Elaine Fantham | |
|---|---|
| Born | 25 May 1933 Liverpool, England |
| Died | 11 July 2016 (aged 83) Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Nationality | British-Canadian |
| Education | Somerville College, Oxford |
| Known for | Classics expertise |
Elaine Fantham (née Crosthwaite, 25 May 1933 – 11 July 2016) was a British-Canadian classicist whose expertise lay particularly in Latin literature, especially comedy, epic poetry and rhetoric, and in the social history of Roman women.[1][2] Much of her work was concerned with the intersection of literature and Greek and Roman history.[1] She spoke fluent Italian, German and French and presented lectures and conference papers around the world—including in Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Argentina, and Australia.[3]
Her commentaries on Senecan tragedy, Lucan, and Ovid's Fasti in particular led to renewed interest in these subjects.[2] Likewise her articles on aspects of the representation and realities of women at Rome remain a foundation for academic work in these areas.[2] She was also classics commentator on NPR's Weekend Edition.[4][1]
Fantham was Giger Professor of Latin at Princeton University from 1986 to 1999.[5]