William David Grene (1913-2002) was a professor of classics, translator of Greek literature, and founding member of the University of Chicago's Committee on Social Thought. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Grene earned an M.A. from Trinity College in 1936, and arrived at the University of Chicago as an instructor in Classics in 1937.
Grene intended to complete a dissertation under the Richard McKeon; however, he fundamentally disagreed with McKeon and other proponents of the Chicago school of literary criticism in their understanding of Aristotle. Grene was outspoken in these views, and thus found that he was unable to secure tenure or make scholarly progress in the university's established departments. Fortunately, Grene found a place in the newly founded Committee on Social Thought, chaired by John U. Nef. With his rigorous but unorthodox approach to classical literature, Grene joined other unconventional scholars on the interdisciplinary committee. He served as a professor in the Committee on Social Thought from 1947-2002, and also taught undergraduate courses in the College.
Grene taught and lectured widely on classical Greek theater and politics, Shakespeare and Jacobean theater, English and Irish literature, Tolstoy and Ibsen. He is best known for his translations of classical Greek literature, including works of Aeschylus, Euripides, Herodotus and Sophocles. His translations were both criticized and celebrated for their emphasis on readability and modern diction.
In addition to his academic career, Grene was an avid farmer, operating dairy farms in Illinois and Ireland. His memoir, Of Farming and Classics, was published posthumously by the University of Chicago Press in 2006.
From the guide to the Grene, David. Papers, 1948-2002, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)
