Clive James Biography

After graduating he worked for the Sydney Morning Herald, before moving to England in 1962. Clive then attended Cambridge University and received a second degree, after which he became a journalist, poet, novelist and reviewer.

In 1992 Clive James was made a Member of the Order of Australia and, in 1999, an honorary Doctor of Letters of Sydney University.

Clive James has written more than 20 books, including three autobiographies titled: 'Unreliable Memoirs', 'Falling Towards England' and 'May Week was in June'; he has also published collections of literary criticism, television criticism, verse and travel writing. His most recent novel was 'The Silver Castle'.

In 2001 he published two books of essays, 'Reliable Essays: The Best of Clive James' and 'Even As We Speak: 1993-2001'. Shortly after that, he published a book called 'Alone in the Café'.

As a television performer he has appeared regularly for both the BBC and ITV in the UK, most notably as writer and presenter of the 'Postcard' series of travel documentaries, and his programmes have been successful both domestically and abroad.

Clive helped to found the independent television production company ‘Watchmaker’, and is currently Chairman of the Internet enterprise ‘Welcome Stranger’.

In 2002 James completed a nationwide tour, with his university friend Pete Atkin, of their sold-out Edinburgh Festival show 'Together At Last Again', a recap of their adventures in the music business since the late sixties when, as members of the Cambridge Footlights, they formed a songwriting relationship that resulted in six albums in the seventies.

In 2003 they launched a new show called 'Words and Music' and toured the UK, before going on an Australian tour.