Date of Birth: October 7, 1939
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Date of Death: November 24, 2019
Biography
Clive James, born Vivian Leopold James, was an Australian writer, broadcaster, poet, and critic, renowned for his wit and keen observations. He was born on October 7, 1939, in Kogarah, New South Wales, Australia. James attended the University of Sydney, where he became part of a vibrant intellectual circle that included Germaine Greer and Robert Hughes. After moving to England in 1962, he studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge, and began his career in literary criticism and television. James gained widespread recognition through his television work, most notably for the series “Clive James on Television,” where his humorous commentary on global media made him a household name. He was also a prolific author, penning numerous essays, memoirs, and collections of poetry. His notable works include “Unreliable Memoirs,” “Cultural Amnesia,” and “The River in the Sky.” Clive James passed away on November 24, 2019, in Cambridge, England, after a long battle with leukemia. His legacy endures through his extensive body of work, which continues to inspire and entertain readers and viewers worldwide.
5 Interesting Facts about Clive James
1. Clive James was a member of the exclusive literary society known as the “Sydney Push” during his university years.
2. He was awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in 2012 for his services to literature and media.
3. James was an avid translator and rendered several works of Dante Alighieri into English.
4. Despite his success in England, he always maintained a strong connection to his Australian roots, often reflecting on them in his writings.
5. He was known for his self-deprecating humor and famously titled his memoir “Unreliable Memoirs.”
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Clive James
1. “Fiction is life with the dull bits left out.”
2. “Stop worrying about what you have to lose and start focusing on what you have to gain.”
3. “It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are.”
4. “A life without fame can be a good life, but fame without a life is no life at all.”
5. “Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the height of his career, Clive James achieved an estimated net worth of $5 million.
Children
Clive James had two daughters, Claerwen James and Lucinda James, with his wife Prue Shaw.
Relevant Links
1. [Clive James on Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_James
2. [The Guardian Obituary](https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2019/nov/27/clive-james-obituary
3. [BBC News on Clive James’s Death](https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50578512
4. [Penguin Books Author Page](https://www.penguin.co.uk/authors/1010116/clive-james.html
5. [Clive James’s Official Website](http://www.clivejames.com/
