Born in 1949, he was educated at Eton College, where he was a scholar, at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he took first-class honours in 1969, and at Balliol College, Oxford, where he took first-class honours in Literae Humaniores in 1971 (Bachelor and hence subsequently Master of Arts) and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1978 with a thesis entitled Maussollos of Karia.
He is Professor of Classics and Ancient History in the University of Oxford and Senior Research Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford. He moved to University College London, where in 1998 he was appointed Professor of Classics and Ancient History. In 2006 he was promoted with the title Grote Professor of Ancient History, retaining the title Professor of Classics.
He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy in 2004.
Hornblower was elected Senior Research Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, taking up his appointment in Michaelmas Term 2010. At the same time, the Recognition of Distinction Committee conferred upon him the title Professor of Classics and Ancient History.
Then from 1978 until 1997, he was University Lecturer in Ancient History in the University of Oxford and Fellow and Tutor in Classics at Oriel College, Oxford, including one year, 1994/95, in which he was a member of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
