One of the leading scholars and academic administrators of his time, Benjamin Jowett (1817–1893) was Master of Balliol College as well as Regius Professor of Greek and, for a time, vice-chancellor at Oxford University. Along with his achievements in the area of academic reform, Jowett is remembered for this four-volume translation of Plato's dialogues. Characterising Plato as the 'father of idealism', Jowett reminds readers that while 'he may be illustrated by the writings of moderns … he must be interpreted by his own, and by his place in the history of philosophy'. This second volume consists of Timaeus and Critias together with the well-known Republic; each dialogue is given a separate introduction. Jowett's work represents a towering achievement in the field of classical and philosophical studies that had important influence on the subsequent study of Plato.