Mary Beard Keynote Speaker

Professor of Classics, University of Cambridge (2004-2022)
Classics editor of the Times Literary Supplement (1992-present)
Prolific TV broadcaster and social commentator

Mary Beard's Biography

Dame Mary Beard OBE is a Cambridge University Classics Professor Emerita and Fellow of Newnham College.

She has written numerous books including the prize-winning Pompeii: The Life of a Roman Town, best-selling SPQR – A History of Ancient Rome and the highly-acclaimed Women & Power and Twelve Caesars – Images of Power from the Ancient World to the Modern, all of which have been translated into multiple languages.

Mary is a regular media commentator and has presented several BBC Radio and TV series on history and culture including ‘Meet the Romans’, ‘Civilisations’, ‘The Shock of the Nude’, ‘Meet the Roman Emperor’ and ‘Being Roman with Mary Beard’. Mary also writes a thought-provoking blog, A Don’s Life.

For services to Classical scholarship, Mary was made a Dame in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2018 and is a trustee of the British Museum. Her latest book, Emperor of Rome, explores one of the most extraordinary roles in history. She has recently launched a podcast, Instant Classics, where she discusses all things ancient (and modern) with her co-host, Guardian journalist Charlotte Higgins