Bentley, Richard

Bentley, Richard (1662-1742), English classical scholar, born in Oulton, near Leeds, and educated at the University of Cambridge. He is best known for his role in the so-called ancients and moderns controversy, in which many celebrated literary figures argued the relative merits of ancient and modern authors. In 1699 he exposed as spurious the Epistles of Phalaris, a work praised by the defenders of ancient literature. Bentley was master of Trinity College, Cambridge, from 1699 until his death. His critical editions of the works of classical writers, especially those of the Roman poet Horace and the Roman playwright Terence, established his reputation as one of the greatest British classical scholars.