Bettany

 Bettany Mary Hughes OBE, FSA was born May 1967. She is an English historian and author who specializes in the field of classical history. Her published works focus on mythology and classical antiquity as well as the history of Istanbul. She actively supports the teaching of classical studies in UK public schools. Hughes was awarded an OBE in 2019. In 2010, she delivered the Hellenic Institute's Tenth Annual Lecture "Ta Erotika - The Things of Love" and in 2011, she was a speaker at the Royal Television Society's Huw Wilson Memorial Lecture. She argued that the history of television is flourishing and experiencing the new golden age. Hughes was chair of the Orange Prize for Fiction in 2011, which is the only annual award for fiction written exclusively by women. Hughes is a patron to The Iris Project which promotes the teaching of Latin and Greek in UK public schools. Classics For All is her Honorary Patron. This campaign is aimed at bring back classical languages and ancient civilisations to public schools. She is an adviser to the Foundation for Science, Technology and Civilisation, which seeks to foster large-scale collaboration projects between East and West.