author
Grant Showerman
1870–1935
A longtime University of Wisconsin classicist, he wrote with warmth and imagination about ancient Rome, helping general readers picture the city, its people, and its history. His work blends solid scholarship with an easy, inviting style.
1 Audiobook
Horace and His Influence
by Grant Showerman
About the author
Born in Brookfield, Wisconsin, in 1870, Grant Showerman studied at Carroll College and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He went on to teach Latin and classics at Wisconsin, serving first as an instructor and later as a professor, and remained closely tied to the university for the rest of his career.
Showerman became known as a humanist and classicist who brought the ancient world to life for modern readers. Alongside his academic work, he wrote books and essays on Roman history, religion, and daily life, with a special gift for making Rome feel vivid and approachable rather than distant and abstract.
He died in 1935, but his name remained associated with the University of Wisconsin, where a residence hall house was later named in his honor. For readers coming to his work today, he stands out as a scholar who cared not only about accuracy, but also about helping people enjoy the world of classical antiquity.