Latin and Greek have been subjects of instruction and research at Queen's since the university held its first classes in March of 1842.
The first professor the university ever hired was the Rev Peter Colin Campbell, Professor of Classics.
Classics were at the core of the Arts curriculum throughout the 19th century and were considered indispensable to a complete education.
Early on, the focus was exclusively on Latin and Greek grammar and translation, but by the 1860s there were lectures on "subjects connected with Grecian Literature and History" and by 1900 professors were enlivening their classes with social commentary and literary appreciation.
Learn more about the Department of Classics...