A. F. Scholfield

A. F. Scholfield. Arthur Frederick Scholfield was a British classical scholar and librarian best known for his definitive three-volume Loeb Classical Library translation of Claudius Aelianus's On the Nature of Animals. His career was primarily associated with the University of Cambridge, where he served as a librarian and contributed significantly to classical scholarship through meticulous editorial work. Though not a prolific author, his translations and cataloguing efforts remain respected references in the study of ancient Greek natural history and literature.

Life and career

Arthur Frederick Scholfield was educated at King's College, Cambridge, where he developed his expertise in classical antiquity. He spent much of his professional life at the Cambridge University Library, rising to the position of Under-Librarian. In this role, he was responsible for curating and managing significant portions of the library's vast collections of manuscripts and printed books. His deep knowledge of Greek literature and palaeography made him a valuable resource for academics at Cambridge and visiting scholars from institutions like Oxford University. Scholfield's career was characterized by quiet dedication to the academic infrastructure that supports classical studies, rather than seeking public prominence.

Works and translations

Scholfield's magnum opus is his English translation of Aelian's On the Nature of Animals (De Natura Animalium), published in three volumes for the Loeb Classical Library between 1958 and 1959. This work presented the Greek text alongside the English translation, making the encyclopaedic and often whimsical natural history of the Roman author accessible to a wider audience. Prior to this major project, he assisted with editorial work for the Society for the Promotion of Hellenic Studies and contributed to scholarly editions of other ancient Greek texts. His translation is noted for its accuracy, clarity, and helpful notes, often clarifying Aelian's references to figures like Alexander the Great, Plato, and Aristotle. He also produced a catalogue of Greek manuscripts in the library of Westminster School.

Legacy and influence

Scholfield's translation of Aelian remains the standard English version and a crucial resource for historians of science, classical literature, and ancient philosophy. It has facilitated studies on topics ranging from ancient zoology and folklore to the reception of thinkers like Plutarch and Herodotus. His work at the Cambridge University Library helped preserve and organize important materials for future generations of researchers at Cambridge and beyond. While his name is not widely known outside specialist circles, his scholarly contributions, characterized by precision and erudition, continue to support academic work in classical philology and the history of ideas of the Greco-Roman world.

Category:British classical scholars Category:English librarians Category:Alumni of King's College, Cambridge Category:Translators from Ancient Greek