Papers of William Emerton Heitland

Classicist. Heitland was born in 1847 in Colkirk, Norfolk, and was educated at Dedham Grammar School and Shrewsbury School. Being the son of an unsuccessful gentleman farmer he had to rely on a scholarship to enter St John's College. Heitland graduated BA as Senior Classic in 1871 and was immediately elected a Fellow of the College. He was College Lecturer in classics 1871-85 and Tutor 1883-93. Heitland was a prolific author, mostly of classical works. His most distinguished publications were 'Agricola' (1921), on agricultural labour in antiquity, and the 'History of the Roman Republic' (1909), which in its day was compared to Mommsen's great work. In 1901 Heitland married the daughter of the Master of St John's, Henry Bateson. Margaret Bateson was a journalist and stalwart of the suffragette movement. Heitland died in 1935.

Notebooks containing notes on classical subjects and translations; notebook used as Junior Bursar, containing notes on College Council business; diary of a holiday in the Isle of Wight.

Given by Charles P. Porter, Aug. 1938 (letter of donation kept with papers).

Please cite as St John's College Library, Papers of William Emerton Heitland