UQ Chair of Classics to bid farewell at public lecture

The history of classics in Queensland and reflections on its future as an academic discipline will be discussed at a free University of Queensland public lecture next month.

Professor Bob Milns from UQ’s School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics will discuss Classics in Queensland: past, present and future at 3pm on Sunday, November 2 in the Abel Smith Lecture Theatre, Campbell Road, UQ St Lucia.

“The classics was one of UQ’s four founding disciplines and continues to have an important presence today,” said Professor Milns, who is only the third person to hold the UQ Chair in Classics in more than 100 years.

Professor Milns will talk about the history of the discipline at UQ up to and including his tenure from 1970 to his impending retirement at the end of this year.

He has a wide-ranging knowledge of Greek and Roman history, philosophy and literature as well as Greek and Latin language and during his 33 years at UQ has participated in many facets of University life.

They include his terms at Head of Department and Faculty of Arts Dean as well as membership of the University Senate and numerous boards and committees.

The lecture, to be followed by refreshments, will be presented by the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics and The Friends of Antiquity.

It will be chaired by UQ Head of Classics and Ancient History Associate Professor John Whitehorne.

Media: For further information, contact Professor Milns (telephone 07 3365 2698, 07 3365 2643), the School of History, Philosophy, Religion and Classics (telephone 07 3365 2620) or Joanne van Zeeland at UQ Communications (telephone 07 3365 2619).