philologist

noun

1. A person who engages in philology (historical linguistics), especially as a profession; a collector of words and their etymologies.

   “Foucault's incisive scrutiny and consistent analysis of antique culture has opened the eyes of many a philosopher, philologist or anthropologist who considered himself an expert on the very texts and issues that Foucault addresses. In the years following the publication of Foucault's works an intense debate arose on the subject of sexuality in antiquity, perhaps primarily in feminist and homosexual circles, although by no means exclusively.”

2. A person devoted to general learning and literature.

   “Like Johnson, in Herculean might, Bid some philologist arise,— Some Milton, with seraphic flight, Or Newton, pupil of the skies.”

3. A person devoted to classical scholarship.