Princeton Classics is proud to congratulate alumna Brigid K. Ehrmantraut '18 on her appointment to the faculty of the University of St Andrews. As Associate Lecturer in Latin and History of the British Isles, c. 1100–1500 in the School of History, Ehrmantraut will continue her illustrious research record into the intersection of classical antiquity and the Celtic middle ages—the subject of her multiple forthcoming books.

“Princeton provided me with a solid foundation in Classics and, crucially, in many of the ancient and medieval languages in which I now conduct research,” said Dr. Ehrmantraut. "It also prepared me well for the level of rigor and original research expected as a graduate student and postdoctoral researcher.”

Graduating from Princeton with highest honors in 2018, Ehrmantraut received a degree in Classics and a certificate in Medieval Studies. Her senior thesis, 'Fog on the Barrow-downs’: Mythologization of Tumuli in Old Irish, Old English, and Insular Latin Literature, was advised by Sarah M. Anderson and awarded the Classics Department's John J. Keaney Prize for best senior thesis, as well as the History Department's Joseph R. Strayer Prize in Medieval Studies. She then pursued an MPhil and PhD in the Department of Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic at the University of Cambridge, where she had studied abroad while at Princeton. For the past two years, Ehrmantraut has held a Research Fellowship at St John's College, Cambridge.

During this time, Ehrmantraut has published numerous articles and book chapters. Her first monograph, titled Classical Myth in Medieval Ireland, treats the reception and translation of Classical mythology in medieval Ireland. The volume is available for preorder from Boydell and Brewer and will be published in September. According to Ehrmantraut, several other projects are already in process. 

“My current research looks in part at the impact of Classical epic on Latin and vernacular writing about battles in Britain and Ireland from the 12th to 14th centuries,” she said. “I’ll also have a trade book out with Thames and Hudson in early 2026 about Celtic Magic, covering topics from ancient Gaulish curse tablets to medieval Welsh medical charms.”

As for her teaching at St Andrews, the future is equally bright: “I'm looking forward to starting in September!”