Dorothy King facts for kids

Dorothy Lobel King (born 1975) is an American author and expert in archaeology. She lives and works in England.

Early Life and Education

Dorothy King was born and grew up in London. Her father, James King, worked for a financial company there. She also spent parts of her childhood in Florida and France.

She went to Malvern St James School and later studied at King's College London. Dorothy became interested in archaeology because of her father's business partner, Leon Levy, and his wife, Shelby White. They helped fund important archaeological digs in Israel.

Career Highlights

Dorothy King earned her Ph.D. (a high-level university degree) in archaeology from King's College London. Her special research was about ancient Greek sculptures.

Protecting Ancient Sites

She first became well-known when she spoke out against building new facilities for the 2004 Summer Olympics. These buildings were planned near the site of the famous Battle of Marathon in Greece, which she believed would harm the historical area.

The Elgin Marbles Debate

In 2006, King wrote a book called The Elgin Marbles. This book discussed a big debate about ancient Greek sculptures. These sculptures, also known as the Parthenon Marbles, were taken from the Parthenon temple in Athens, Greece, in the early 1800s by Lord Elgin. They are now kept in the British Museum in London.

King's book argued that Lord Elgin's actions were legal at the time. She also raised concerns about how Greece might care for the marbles if they were returned. Her book helped restart the discussion about who should own these important historical pieces. However, she has suggested that the marbles could one day be loaned to Greece.

Views on History and Names

Dorothy King has also shared her thoughts on the name dispute between Greece and the Republic of North Macedonia. She believes that the historical region of Macedonia is firmly within Greece. She has stated that claiming otherwise is like saying "Jesus went to America."

Sharing Ideas and Advocacy

King is also known for her blog, where she writes about politics, history, and archaeology. She likes to share her knowledge and opinions with a wider audience.

In a 2005 article, King discussed the "gender gap" in universities, which means the difference in the number of men and women in certain academic jobs. She suggested that women should use their skills and cleverness to succeed, rather than just complaining about the differences.

Personal Life

Dorothy King lives in Kensington, London, a part of England.American emigrants to England