Alfred John Church

Born in London on January 29, 1829, Alfred John Church was educated at King's College London and Lincoln College, Oxford. He was ordained in the Church of England and combined a life in teaching with a deep love of the classics.

Church taught at Merchant Taylors' School, later served as headmaster at schools in Henley-on-Thames and King Edward VI School in London, and was also professor of Latin at University College London. Alongside his academic work, he translated classical authors including Tacitus and Pliny with W. J. Brodribb.

He is especially remembered for writing clear, engaging books that retold Greek and Roman stories for general readers and young people, including works such as Stories from Homer, The Aeneid for Boys and Girls, and The Story of the Iliad. He died on April 27, 1912, but his lively introductions to the ancient world have remained in print for many years.