John M. Dillon
Encyclopedia
John Myles Dillon is an Irish
classicist
and philosopher who was Regius Professor of Greek
in Trinity College, Dublin
between 1980 and 2006. Prior to that he taught at the University of California, Berkeley
. He was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens
on 15 June 2010. Dillon's area of research lies in the history of Platonism
from the Old Academy to the Renaissance
, and also Early Christianity
.
, a definitive book on Middle Platonists, Neoplatonism
and his editoral work on Stephen McKenna's translation of Plotinus
' Enneads
. Continuing in the same research as his predecessor A. H. Armstrong
in the field of Neoplatonic philosophy.
Dillon is also a member of the International Society of NeoPlatonic Studies , and is in addition a member of the Editorial Advisory Council of Dionysius
. His first novel, The Scent of Eucalyptus, was published in 2007.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
classicist
Classics
Classics is the branch of the Humanities comprising the languages, literature, philosophy, history, art, archaeology and other culture of the ancient Mediterranean world ; especially Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome during Classical Antiquity Classics (sometimes encompassing Classical Studies or...
and philosopher who was Regius Professor of Greek
Regius Professor of Greek (Trinity)
The Regius Professorship of Greek is a professorship at Trinity College, Dublin. The chair was founded by George III in 1761.-List of Regius Professors of Greek:* Theaker Wilder 1761- * John Stokes 1764-5 * Richard Graves 1810-* Franc Sadleir 1833–1838...
in Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin
Trinity College, Dublin , formally known as the College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin, was founded in 1592 by letters patent from Queen Elizabeth I as the "mother of a university", Extracts from Letters Patent of Elizabeth I, 1592: "...we...found and...
between 1980 and 2006. Prior to that he taught at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. He was elected a corresponding member of the Academy of Athens
Academy of Athens (modern)
The Academy of Athens is Greece's national academy, and the highest research establishment in the country. It was established in 1926, and operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Education...
on 15 June 2010. Dillon's area of research lies in the history of Platonism
Platonism
Platonism is the philosophy of Plato or the name of other philosophical systems considered closely derived from it. In a narrower sense the term might indicate the doctrine of Platonic realism...
from the Old Academy to the Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
, and also Early Christianity
Early Christianity
Early Christianity is generally considered as Christianity before 325. The New Testament's Book of Acts and Epistle to the Galatians records that the first Christian community was centered in Jerusalem and its leaders included James, Peter and John....
.
Scholarship
Among Dillon's most famous works are his translations of Iamblichus' On the Mysteries of the EgyptiansDe Mysteriis Aegyptiorum
The Theurgia, or De Mysteriis Aegyptiorum , was attributed to Iamblichus Chalcidensis, a Neoplatonic philosopher who studied under Porphyry....
, a definitive book on Middle Platonists, Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism
Neoplatonism , is the modern term for a school of religious and mystical philosophy that took shape in the 3rd century AD, based on the teachings of Plato and earlier Platonists, with its earliest contributor believed to be Plotinus, and his teacher Ammonius Saccas...
and his editoral work on Stephen McKenna's translation of Plotinus
Plotinus
Plotinus was a major philosopher of the ancient world. In his system of theory there are the three principles: the One, the Intellect, and the Soul. His teacher was Ammonius Saccas and he is of the Platonic tradition...
' Enneads
Enneads
The Six Enneads, sometimes abbreviated to The Enneads or Enneads , is the collection of writings of Plotinus, edited and compiled by his student Porphyry . Plotinus was a student of Ammonius Saccas and they were founders of Neoplatonism...
. Continuing in the same research as his predecessor A. H. Armstrong
A. H. Armstrong
Arthur Hilary Armstrong FBA was an English educator and author. Armstrong is recognized as one of the foremost authorities on the philosophical teachings of Plotinus ca. 205–270 CE. His multi-volume translation of the philosopher's teachings is regarded as an essential tool of classical studies.-...
in the field of Neoplatonic philosophy.
Dillon is also a member of the International Society of NeoPlatonic Studies , and is in addition a member of the Editorial Advisory Council of Dionysius
Dionysius (journal)
Dionysius is a scholarly journal published by the Department of Classics at Dalhousie University. It was established originally in 1977, and a new series began in 1998. It publishes articles on the history of ancient philosophy and theology, and has a special interest in the Aristotelian and...
. His first novel, The Scent of Eucalyptus, was published in 2007.