Robin Lane Fox is an English academic specializing in ancient history and classical studies. He has held significant positions at the University of Oxford, including as an Emeritus Fellow and Reader in Ancient History at New College. His academic career has spanned several decades, during which he has taught Greek and Latin literature, early Islamic history, and ancient history.

Lane Fox is recognized for his extensive body of work, which has garnered numerous literary awards. His research primarily focuses on figures like Alexander the Great and the history of Macedon, but also extends to Late Antiquity, the interplay between Christianity and Paganism, and biblical history. Beyond his academic pursuits, he is also a gardening writer and the gardening correspondent for the Financial Times. He has explored themes of belief and non-belief in his writings on Christianity and the Bible.

Robin Lane Fox has made substantial contributions to the study of ancient history, earning accolades such as the James Tait Black Award, the Duff Cooper Prize, the Heinemann Award, and the Runciman Award for his publications. His seminal work on Alexander the Great, published in 1973, received significant recognition and led to his involvement as a historical advisor for Oliver Stone's film adaptation. While his early work focused heavily on Alexander and ancient Macedon, his scholarship has broadened to encompass Late Antiquity, the dynamics of Christianity and Paganism, and historical interpretations of the Bible. He also presented a BBC Four series on Greek myths. His exploration of religious history includes examining the Bible from a non-believer's perspective and a biography of Saint Augustine, for which he received the Wolfson History Prize. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Beyond his core academic focus on classical antiquity, Robin Lane Fox demonstrates a keen interest in gardening, contributing as the gardening correspondent for the Financial Times and authoring several books on the subject. This interdisciplinary approach is further evidenced by his writings on the history of Christianity and his personal reflections on belief. He identifies as an atheist, yet his biography of Saint Augustine reveals a deep admiration for the figure. His academic journey was influenced by prominent scholars like G. E. M. de Ste. Croix and Louis Robert, among others. Lane Fox's personal life includes being the father of Martha Lane Fox, a noted entrepreneur, and Henry Lane Fox, who leads a digital publishing venture.