11 June 2010 Last updated at 20:30 ET

Oxford University History professor made a knight

Professor Millar's career spans four decades

A retired Oxford professor of ancient history is to be awarded a Knighthood in the Birthday Honours List for services to Scholarship.

Fergus Millar, 74, was Camden Professor of Ancient History Emeritus, Oxford University until he retired in 2002.

He received the Kenyon Medal for Classics from the British Academy in 2005.

Professor Millar is credited as being among the most influential ancient historians of the 20th Century.

He is an authority in the field of ancient Roman and Greek history.

His accolades include honorary doctorates from Oxford and Helsinki and elected memberships in foreign academies.

Professor Millar said: "I was surprised, it's late in life but I'm pleased, it's recognition of the subject that I do."

Elsewhere, David MacDonald, Professor of Wildlife Conservation, at Oxford University is to be made a CBE for services to Natural Sciences.

Nicola Hanna, from Wantage, director of Epilepsy Bereaved, is awarded an OBE for services to families.

Sylvia Wear, chief executive of the RCV charity, also gets an OBE for services to disabled people.

While MBEs are awarded to Paul Davies, from Kidlington for services to music, Julian Hoskins, from Didcot, at the Science and Technology Facilities Council for services to engineering and Dr Anthony Lewis, from Oxford, for services to mathematics and cricket.