Bentley Layton (August 12, 1941 – March 26, 2025) was an American educator who was professor of religious studies (Ancient Christianity) and professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations (Coptic) at Yale University.
Early life
Bentley Layton was born on August 12, 1941, to Nelly Gray (née Oldman) and Reber B. Layton. His father was a teacher, principal and writer. Layton grew up in Jackson, Mississippi. He graduated summa cum laude from Harvard University in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts. He was a member of the Harvard Society of Fellows. He later graduated with a PhD from Harvard in religion in 1971.