Dr. William Johnson

Biography

William Johnson works broadly in cultural history focusing on Greece and Rome, with a particular interest in ancient books and the nature of readers and reading. His scholarly pursuits intersect literary interests within the cultural context of antiquity. He has lectured and published extensively on figures such as Plato, Hesiod, Herodotus, and Pliny (both Elder and Younger), among various topics related to ancient and modern publishing. His research highlights ancient music, including his production of the editio princeps of rare papyrus documents containing ancient Greek music. William has published four monographs, two edited volumes, and approximately forty articles and book chapters, and has delivered over fifty invited lectures to national and international audiences, receiving various commendations and awards. He teaches Greek, Latin, and cultural history to both undergraduate and graduate students at Duke University. His notable publications include "Readers Reading Culture in the High Roman Empire" (2010) and various works exploring ancient Greek music and literacy.

Research Interests

Courses