The Life of an Academic - Professor Christopher Page

TL;DR

A professor shares his love for medieval literature and the joy of lecturing to students.

Transcript

well in addition to being professor at Gresham College I'm a professor of medieval music and literature in University of Cambridge and fellow of this College where we are now Sidney Sussex which was founded in 1596 of the year before Gresham College their sister foundations without I think them being actually aware of it maybe I can make them aware... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🏫 The professor teaches undergraduates how to read literature that is several centuries old, like anglo-saxon, which may be unintelligible without professional study.
• 😀 He has spent his entire academic career in England and feels happy and fulfilled in his role at the University of Cambridge.
• 🤕 His passion for medieval manuscripts started at a young age when his father introduced him to illuminated initials.
• 👨‍🏫 Hearing the beginning of the Canterbury Tales in school solidified the professor's desire to specialize in medieval literature.
• 👨‍🏫 Lecturing is the most fun aspect of teaching for the professor, as it allows for student engagement and exploration.
• 🥰 The professor's love for medieval manuscripts and lecturing is evident in his enjoyment of spending time in the Cambridge University Library.
• 📚 He feels most at home and content in the library on a winter's evening, surrounded by books and the sound of rain against the windows.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the professor's academic background and how did he end up at the University of Cambridge?

The professor started his academic career in Oxford, completed his PhD, and eventually secured a professorship at the University of Cambridge.

Q: What sparked the professor's passion for medieval literature?

The professor's interest in medieval manuscripts began when he was young and visited the British Museum with his father. He was captivated by illuminated initials and his father would sketch them for him to color in.

Q: What made the professor decide to become an academic?

The professor's love for medieval literature and a schoolmaster reading the beginning of the Canterbury Tales to him solidified his decision to pursue a career as a medievalist.

Q: What does the professor enjoy most about lecturing?

The professor finds lecturing to be the most enjoyable part of teaching, as it allows him to share his knowledge and engage with students in a performative and exploratory manner.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The professor is a professor of medieval music and literature at the University of Cambridge, where he also teaches undergraduates how to read literature that is centuries old.

• He started his academic career in Oxford, did a PhD, and eventually became a professor at Cambridge.

• His passion for medieval manuscripts started at a young age, and he knew he wanted to be a medievalist after hearing the Canterbury Tales in school.