Complex sentence: He received a BA degree in English literature from the University of York and a MA in medieval studies from the University of Reading and came to lexicography through studying English literature and philology, especially that of the medieval period.
Split into simpler sentences: He received a bachelor's degree in English literature from the University of York and a master's degree in medieval studies from the University of Reading. Simpson came to lexicography through studying English literature and philology, especially that of the medieval period.