Cambridge classicist Mary Beard to retire and set up fund for students from underrepresented groups The classicist said she wanted to encourage more diversity among students studying classics. Professor Mary Beard OBE, University of Cambridge classicist (Image: University of Cambridge) Sign up to our newsletter for daily updates and breaking newsInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later. Sign up here! When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Your information will be used in accordance with ourPrivacy Notice. Thank you for subscribingWe have more newslettersShow meSee ourprivacy notice Prolific Cambridge historian Professor Mary Beard will help fund two classics students from under-represented groups as she retires to encourage more diversity among students.