When most people think of distinguished Oxford historians, they don’t necessarily picture someone who spends their afternoons elbow-deep in garden soil. Yet Robin Lane Fox has spent more than five decades seamlessly blending two worlds that rarely intersect: the rigorous study of ancient civilizations and the practical art of cultivating plants. His unique journey from classical scholar to celebrated gardening columnist makes him one of Britain’s most fascinating public intellectuals.
Early Life and Personal Background
Born on October 5, 1946, Robin Fox Lane grew up in an environment that would shape his intellectual curiosity and diverse interests. He would later become the father of two accomplished children: Martha Lane Fox, the entrepreneur and co-founder of Lastminute.com, and Henry Lane Fox, who serves as CEO of The Browser. His marriage to Louisa Caroline Mary Farrell lasted from 1970 to 1993, during which time he was establishing himself in both academic and horticultural circles.
A self-described atheist, Fox Robin Lane has never shied away from examining religion through a historical and critical lens. This intellectual honesty would later inform some of his most provocative scholarly works, particularly his studies of early Christianity and biblical texts.
An Illustrious Academic Career at Oxford
Building a Foundation in Classics
The academic journey of Robin Lane Fox began at Magdalen College, where he served as a fellow from 1970 to 1973. These formative years allowed him to develop his expertise in classical studies while beginning to establish his reputation as both a scholar and writer. His career then took him to Worcester College, where he lectured in classics from 1974 to 1976, before becoming a research fellow in classical and Islamic history from 1976 to 1977.
The most significant phase of his academic career began in 1977 when he joined New College as a fellow and tutor in ancient history, a position he held until 2014. His scholarly excellence was recognized in 1990 when he was appointed Reader in Ancient History. Since 2012, he has served as an Emeritus Fellow of New College, though his connection to the college extends far beyond typical academic duties.
A Unique Dual Role
What sets Robin Fox Lane apart from most Oxford dons is his appointment as Garden Master at New College, a position he has held since 1979. This role perfectly encapsulates his dual passions and allows him to bring historical perspective to horticultural design. He also serves as an Extraordinary Lecturer for both New and Exeter Colleges, sharing his vast knowledge with successive generations of students.
His teaching specializations reveal the breadth of his scholarly interests: Greek and Roman history, Greek and Latin literature, early Islamic history, and ancient Macedon. This wide-ranging expertise has made him one of Oxford’s most versatile and sought-after lecturers.
Groundbreaking Historical Works
The Alexander Legacy
The publication that first brought Fox Robin Lane to international attention was his 1973 biography, “Alexander the Great.” This masterful work won both the Duff Cooper Prize and the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, establishing him as a leading authority on ancient Macedon. The book’s influence extended far beyond academic circles when it led to his role as historical advisor for Oliver Stone’s 2004 film “Alexander.” In a delightful twist, he also appeared in the film as a cavalry rider, bringing his scholarship quite literally to life on screen.
A Prolific Publishing Record
Over the decades, Robin Lane Fox has produced a remarkable body of work that demonstrates his ability to make ancient history accessible and compelling to general readers. “Pagans and Christians,” published in 1986, explored the complex relationship between these two groups in the early centuries of the Common Era. His 1992 work, “The Unauthorized Version: Truth and Fiction in the Bible,” took a critical historical approach to biblical texts, examining them through the lens of scholarship rather than faith.
“The Classical World,” published in 2006, offered readers a sweeping overview of Greek and Roman civilization. “Travelling Heroes: Greeks and Their Myths in the Epic Age of Homer,” released in 2008, traced the geographical and cultural journey of Greek mythology. His 2015 book, “Augustine: Conversions and Confessions,” won the prestigious Wolfson History Prize, cementing his status as one of Britain’s most honored historians.
Most recently, “The Invention of Medicine: From Homer to Hippocrates,” published in 2020, explored the origins of medical thinking in the ancient world. Throughout his career, he has also been honored with the Heinemann Award and the Runciman Award for his contributions to historical scholarship.
The Gardening Columnist Who Made History
An Unmatched Record
While many know Robin Fox Lane primarily as a historian, his contribution to gardening journalism is equally impressive. Since 1970, he has written a gardening column for the Financial Times, making him the longest-running gardening columnist in the world. Remarkably, this column predates his university appointments, revealing that his love of gardening was cultivated even before his academic career fully blossomed.
For more than 47 years, readers have turned to his column for witty, erudite, and practical advice on all aspects of gardening. His writing style brings the same intellectual rigor he applies to ancient history, but with a warmth and accessibility that has endeared him to gardeners of all levels.
Books That Dig Deep
Beyond his weekly columns, Fox Robin Lane has published several influential gardening books. “Variations on a Garden” appeared in 1974, followed by “Better Gardening” in 1982. His 2010 work, “Thoughtful Gardening: Great Plants, Great Gardens, Great Gardeners,” brought together decades of practical experience and philosophical reflection on what makes a garden truly great.
A Hands-On Philosophy
What distinguishes Robin Lane Fox from many garden writers is his thoroughly practical approach. He maintains a two-acre personal garden where he does his own weeding, planting, and seed raising. This hands-on experience informs every word he writes, lending authenticity and hard-won wisdom to his advice.
He advocates strongly for owner-maintained gardens over professionally managed ones, believing that the intimate knowledge gained from working one’s own soil creates gardens with genuine character and soul. As Garden Master at New College, Oxford, he practices what he preaches, bringing this same philosophy to the historic college gardens under his care.
Where History Meets Horticulture
An Interdisciplinary Vision
The genius of Robin Fox Lane lies in his ability to combine historical scholarship with horticultural expertise in ways that enrich both fields. He has famously stated that his five loves are “the Greek world, Virgil and Horace, gardening, fox hunting and women.” This frank declaration reveals a man who refuses to compartmentalize his passions or pretend to be anything other than what he is.
His gardening writing frequently draws on art, history, and classical literature, creating a rich tapestry of cultural references that elevates practical advice into something approaching philosophy. Whether discussing the proper placement of a rose or the historical origins of a particular plant, he brings an erudition that makes even routine horticultural topics fascinating.
A Distinctive Voice
Known for his witty, erudite, and occasionally provocative style, Fox Robin Lane has never been afraid to express strong opinions. This willingness to take positions and defend them with vigor has made him both beloved and occasionally controversial within gardening circles.
Controversy and Character
Traditional Sensibilities
Robin Fox Lane maintains traditional British gardening aesthetic preferences, which have sometimes put him at odds with contemporary trends. He became involved in a notable controversy around the garden gnome ban at the Chelsea Garden Show, defending what he saw as standards of taste against what he perceived as kitsch.
His passion for fox hunting, now banned in England, represents another area where his traditional views have proven controversial. Yet even those who disagree with his positions acknowledge the sincerity and intellectual consistency with which he holds them.
Strong Opinions, Strongly Held
His sophisticated, sometimes provocative writing style means he’s never been one to soften his views for the sake of popularity. This authenticity has earned him devoted readers who appreciate his willingness to speak plainly about contemporary gardening trends he finds misguided or excessive.
A Lasting Legacy
Bridging Two Worlds
Fox Robin Lane has achieved something rare: recognition as a leading figure in two entirely different fields. As a gardening writer, he’s regarded as one of Britain’s finest, bringing intelligence and style to a genre that can sometimes veer toward the pedestrian. As a historian, he’s produced scholarship that combines rigorous research with prose that general readers can actually enjoy.
His influence extends across generations of both gardeners and historians. Students who studied ancient history under him at Oxford went on to become scholars themselves, while readers of his gardening columns have cultivated countless gardens inspired by his advice and philosophy.
More Than Fifty Years of Excellence
Having published continuously for over 50 years in both fields, Robin Lane Fox has demonstrated a stamina and consistency that few writers in any genre can match. His voice remains as eloquent and authoritative on ancient history and gardening culture as it was when he first began writing in the early 1970s.
The gap he has bridged between classical scholarship and practical horticulture represents more than just a personal quirk or unusual career path. It embodies a broader vision of intellectual life that refuses artificial boundaries between disciplines, that sees connections between the ancient world and a modern garden, and that insists learning and hands-on work need not be separate pursuits.
Conclusion
In an age of increasing specialization, Robin Fox Lane stands as a reminder that the life of the mind and the work of the hands can inform and enrich each other. His scholarship illuminates the ancient world with clarity and verve, while his gardening writing brings historical depth and literary grace to practical advice. Whether reading his analysis of Alexander the Great’s campaigns or his thoughts on the proper care of delphiniums, one encounters the same distinctive voice: learned, passionate, occasionally provocative, but always engaging.
For more than five decades, he has shown that it’s possible to be both a serious scholar and a serious gardener, and that excellence in one field can complement and enhance achievement in another. In doing so, Fox Robin Lane has created a legacy that extends far beyond any single book or article—he has demonstrated a way of living an intellectually rich and practically engaged life that continues to inspire all who encounter his work.
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