Benjamin Jowett (1817–93) was a British theologian, classical scholar, and educator. One of the legendary figures of late Victorian Oxford and one of the most outstanding teachers of the 19th century, he wrote renowned translations of Plato. He became the master of Balliol College-Oxford.
Born in Camberwell, London, Jowett was educated at St Paul’s School and Balliol College-Oxford. He was named a Fellow at Balliol in 1838 and a tutor from 1840. He was elected Master of Balliol in 1870 and served as Regius Professor of Greek 1855–93. Later, he was Vice-Chancellor of Oxford 1882–86.
Jowett belonged to the Broad Church party. For his article ‘On the Interpretation of Scripture’ in Essays and Reviews (1860,) he was tried for heresy but acquitted by the Vice Chancellor’s court. He is best known for his line translations of the Dialogues of Plato (1871,) Thucydides (1881,) The Politics of Aristotle (1885,) and Plato’s Republic (1894.)
British academic Geoffrey Faber wrote the appraisal Jowett: A Portrait with a Background (1957.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Benjamin Jowett
Logic is neither a science nor an art, but a dodge.
—Benjamin Jowett
Topics: Logic
Doubt comes in at the window when inquiry is denied at the door.
—Benjamin Jowett
Topics: Doubt
The way to get things done is not to mind who gets the credit of doing them.
—Benjamin Jowett
One man is as good as another until he has written a book.
—Benjamin Jowett
Topics: Books, Reading
To teach a man how he may learn to grow independently, and for himself, is perhaps the greatest service that one man can do another.
—Benjamin Jowett
Topics: Service, Teaching
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