Complex sentence: From 1952 to 1978 he was a university lecturer in classical literature at the University of Oxford, from 1978-85 a reader (senior lecturer) in classical literature and from 1985-88 Professor of Classical Literature.
Split into simpler sentences: From 1952 to 1978, he was a university lecturer in classical literature at the University of Oxford. From 1978-85, he was a reader (senior lecturer) in classical literature and from 1985-88, professor of classical literature.