John Erskine

Born on October 5, 1879, John Erskine was an American educator, author, pianist, and composer. He taught English at Amherst College and then at Columbia University, where he became known as an influential teacher and advocate for reading the great books.

Alongside his academic career, he wrote widely in many forms, including novels, essays, and criticism. His best-known work is The Private Life of Helen of Troy, a popular retelling of classical myth that helped make him a bestselling author.

Erskine's career shows an unusual mix of scholarship and accessibility: he cared deeply about literature and music, but he also wrote for general readers in a clear, engaging way. He died on June 2, 1951, leaving behind a body of work that connects classical learning with popular storytelling.