John Van Antwerp Fine Sr. was an American classics and Greek history scholar. He was affiliated with Princeton University for a long time.
Background
John Van Antwerp Fine Sr. was born on December 3, 1903, in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. He was a son of John Burchard Fine and Adele P. Fine (maiden name Bohme).
Many of John Van Antwerp’s relatives were connected with the scholastic activity. His father founded Princeton Preparatory School, his uncle, Henry Burchard Fine, taught mathematics and chaired the faculty, and his aunt established Miss Fine's school (currently Princeton Day School).
Education
John Van Antwerp Fine Sr. received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925 at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. Then, he pursued his education at Yale University where he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1932.
John Van Antwerp Fine Sr. started his career from a post of an instructor in classics he occupied at Yale University, New Haven in 1932. After two years at the institution, he moved to Williams College where he served as an assistant professor in Greek, Latin, and history till 1940. This year, the long collaboration with Princeton University began with the position of a visiting lecturer which he had held for one year. Then, Fine was promoted to an assistant professor.
At the outbreak of the Second World War, he joined the United States Marine Corps in 1943. He completed his military service in the rank of lieutenant colonel two years later.
After, Fine came back to Princeton University where by 1946 he was promoted to an associate professor. He served in that capacity till 1949 when he was named a full professor in Greek languages and literature.
Fine contributed many articles to scholarly publications and wrote a monograph, ‘Horoi: Studies in Mortgage, Real Security, and Land Tenure in Ancient Athens’. He also authored a comprehensive study of ancient Greece entitled ‘The Ancient Greeks: A Critical History’. Published in 1983, it covers the political and military history of Greece from the Bronze Age through the period just prior to the ascension of conqueror Alexander the Great. The Ancient Greeks received mixed reviews.
John Van Antwerp Fine Sr. retired in 1972. Although he was no longer an active professor, he did not retire from scholarly work, as he continued to research and write. He also directed the department of graduate studies in the classics.