The foundation of the New College of the Humanities in 2011 marked a shift in Anthony Clifford Grayling’s career, transitioning from his established tenure as a professor of philosophy at Birkbeck, University of London. Born in 1949 in Luanshya, Northern Rhodesia, he eventually moved to England to pursue a rigorous academic path that spans decades of research and public intellectual engagement.
Academic Formation and Philosophy
Grayling’s intellectual trajectory began early, influenced by reading Plato and G. H. Lewes while residing in Africa. After relocating to England, he completed undergraduate studies at the University of Sussex and the University of London. He pursued graduate work at Magdalen College, Oxford, under the supervision of P. F. Strawson and A. J. Ayer. He earned his doctorate in 1981, focusing on epistemological scepticism. This research served as the basis for his 1985 work, The Refutation of Scepticism, and later developments in his broader philosophical output.
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Before his shift toward founding independent institutions, Grayling held teaching positions at Bedford College and St Anne’s College, Oxford. His primary academic home from 1991 was Birkbeck, University of London, where he rose to the rank of professor. In 2011, he launched the New College of the Humanities in London, serving as its first master. The college was later acquired by Northeastern University in 2019. He remains a supernumerary fellow of St Anne’s College.
Literary and Public Contributions
Beyond technical philosophy, Grayling has authored approximately 30 books, covering topics from the history of ideas to ethics and human rights. Notable titles include The Meaning of Things, The Good Book, and The Age of Genius: The Seventeenth Century and the Birth of the Modern Mind. He has been a consistent contributor to public discourse, serving as a judge for the Booker Prize in 2003 and 2014, and maintaining a presence in media outlets such as The Guardian and the BBC.
Humanism and Advocacy
Grayling aligns his work with the tradition of humanism and secularism. He holds roles as a vice-president of Humanists UK and is an honorary associate of the National Secular Society. His advocacy extends to political commentary, where he has addressed issues concerning democratic systems, such as in his 2017 book, Democracy and Its Crisis. He holds membership in the World Economic Forum and the Royal Society of Literature.
Fast facts
- Born: 1949, Luanshya
- Education: University of Sussex, University of London, Magdalen College, Oxford
- Academic Focus: Epistemology, metaphysics, philosophical logic
- Notable Award: Commander of the Order of the British Empire (2016)
- Booker Prize Judge: 2003, 2014
- Affiliation: Vice-president of Humanists UK
- Current Position: Supernumerary fellow, St Anne’s College, Oxford
Questions readers ask
What subjects does A. C. Grayling specialize in?
His academic interests center on epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophical logic.
What is his connection to the New College of the Humanities?
He founded the college in 2011 and served as its first master before it was purchased by Northeastern University in 2019.
Achievements
- Commander of the Order of the British Empire — 2016
- Held posts at Birkbeck, University of London and University of Oxford
- Fields: philosophy and humanism
