D. R. Shackleton Bailey facts for kids

David Roy Shackleton Bailey (born December 10, 1917 – died November 28, 2005) was a smart British scholar. He spent his life studying Latin literature. This means he focused on old Roman writings.

He was especially good at something called textual criticism. This is like being a detective for old books. He would carefully check ancient texts to make sure they were correct. He taught at famous universities like Cambridge, Michigan, and Harvard. He is most famous for his work on the Roman poets Horace and Cicero. He helped translate and explain their important letters.

David Shackleton Bailey's Life and Work

David was the youngest of four children. His father was a headmaster, which is like a school principal. David went to Lancaster Royal Grammar School. Then he studied Classics and Oriental Studies at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.

During World War II, David worked at Bletchley Park. This was a secret place where British experts broke enemy codes. It was a very important job!

University Life and Moving Around

After the war, David returned to Cambridge University. He became a fellow, which is like a senior member of the college. In 1948, he started teaching about Tibetan language. Later, he moved to Jesus College, Cambridge. Here, he became a Director of Studies in Classics. This meant he guided students studying ancient Greek and Roman times.

He started writing many books and articles about Latin authors. He loved cats very much! One story says he moved colleges because his old college wouldn't let him install a special door for his cat.

In 1968, David moved to the United States. He taught at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Then, in 1976, he moved to Harvard University. He became a professor of Greek and Latin there. He even helped edit a famous academic magazine called Harvard Studies in Classical Philology. After retiring from Harvard in 1988, he went back to the University of Michigan.

Awards and Achievements

David Shackleton Bailey received many important awards. In 1958, he became a Fellow of the British Academy. This is a big honor for scholars in the UK. He also earned a special degree from Cambridge University. Later, he was chosen to be a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. This shows how respected he was in his field.

His main work was studying the Latin language and Roman history. He also looked into the lives of important Roman people. He helped create many books for the Loeb Classical Library. These books make old Latin and Greek writings easier for people to read and understand.

David passed away in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 2005.