author

H. L. (Herbert Lord) Havell

d. 1913

Known for lively retellings of Greek epic and history, this late Victorian writer helped make the ancient world feel vivid and approachable for younger readers. His books on Homer and Rome mix storytelling with a solid grounding in classical learning.

2 Audiobooks

Stories from the Odyssey

Stories from the Odyssey

by H. L. (Herbert Lord) Havell, Homer

Stories from the Iliad

Stories from the Iliad

by H. L. (Herbert Lord) Havell

About the author

A classical scholar and translator, Herbert Lord Havell studied at University College, Oxford, and published work connected with Greek literature in the late 19th century. One of his early books was an English translation of On the Sublime in 1890, showing the scholarly side behind his later popular writing.

Havell is best remembered for retelling ancient stories in a clear, engaging way. Books such as Stories from the Iliad, Stories from the Odyssey, and his writing on the Roman Republic brought epic poetry and classical history to general readers, especially younger audiences.

He died in 1913. Although not as widely known today as some classical popularizers, his work still has appeal for readers who enjoy accessible introductions to Homeric legend and the world of ancient Greece and Rome.