I met the writer Elspeth Barker during a London University summer school in Ancient Greek in 2010, where we were the only students in the class. Given the choice of an easier or harder syllabus, Elspeth plumped for the latter; I might have been wiser to hold out for the former.
Hers was a wonderful personality. Besides the wit and intelligence she showed in translating the Greek texts, she recommended that I make the most of new opportunities and directions when faced with losing my then job. It proved to be excellent advice.
