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Colin Dexter: The Classics Master

Following David Robinson’s contribution (Endeavour 4) and reproduction of a Tenby Grammar School play review by Colin Dexter written in 1965, may I dispute his assertion that that Dexter was finding his feet as a teacher.

His first academic post was as a classics master at the Wyggeston Grammar School for boys, Leicester in 1954.

As a pupil I had the benefit of his teaching during 1955/56. Latin; previously a dead subject came to life under Colin who treated his previously downtrodden pupils as human beings, the aim being to make Latin interesting and relevant to modern life.

This was successfully achieved; my interest in the classics increased and his firm but kindly skills enabled me to pass Latin at G.C.E. ‘O’ Level.

From the school photograph, on the cover of this edition, dated October 1954 you can see Colin, (centre) oblivious to his future fame. By 1965 he had moved to Tenby and would have been a most experienced classics master.

I have had the privilege of meeting my excellent Latin master forty years on and it is clear that he has happy memories of Leicester and his time at the Wyggeston where he was respected and whilst his nickname of “Lofty” was inevitable without being disrespectful.

References to the Wyggeston and his contemporaries appear in NEIG.
 

Geoff Crease