When one flips through the front pages of the newspaper, or scrolls through the pages of the internet, Classicists aren't usually the people who make the headlines.

Or are they?

There are many people who began their successful careers with a degree in Classical Studies, or by studying the languages, and have gone on to make significant contributions to literature, science, philosophy, and many other areas. Classical Studies is not a unilateral degree which leaves you with only a sparse set of skills once you graduate. A Masters degree in Classics is not the only option after graduating from a B.A. Here is a comprehensive list of people who went on to explore other areas of interest after their Classics degree.


J.K. Rowling:Author of the Harry Potter books and A Casual Vacancy - University of Exeter, England
Mark Zuckerberg: Creator of Facebook - Latin and Ancient Greek in Highschool
J.R.R. Tolkein:Author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and many other novels and short stories - Exeter College, Oxford
Stephen Fry: British media personality and actor (Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, Alice in Wonderland, V for Vendetta)
Karl Marx: Philosopher and socialist - Classics Ph. D
Friedrich Nietzsche: Philosopher - Professor at the University of Basel
Oscar Wilde: Author, Playwright & Poet (The Picture of Dorian Gray and many other novels, plays and poems) - Studied at Dublin and Oxford
Chuck Geschke: Co-founder of Adobe Systems - Xavier University
Boris Johnson: Mayor of London - Oxford University
Tom Hiddleston: Actor (Avengers & Thor) Pembroke College, Cambridge
Robert Millikan: Noble Prize Winner (Physics) - Undergrad
Anthony Leggett: Noble Prize Winner (Physics) - Undergrad
Jonathan Evans: Head of the MI5 (British Secret Service) - Latin and Greek at Bristol University
Chris Martin: Singer (Coldplay)
Thomas Jefferson: 3rd President of the United States and author of the Declaration of Independence
Toni Morrison: Author and winner of the Noble Peace Price (Literature)