Clive James Biography

After graduating, he worked for the Sydney Morning Herald, before moving to England in 1962. James 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.

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.

James 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.