Date of Birth: March 30, 1928
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: June 6, 2013
Biography
Tom Sharpe was a renowned English novelist best known for his satirical and comedic works. Born Thomas Ridley Sharpe, he was brought into the world on March 30, 1928, in London, England. Sharpe’s early education was at Lancing College, and afterward, he studied at Pembroke College, Cambridge. After his education, he served in the Royal Marines and later emigrated to South Africa, where he worked as a social worker and a photographer. His experiences in South Africa deeply influenced his writing, particularly evident in his early novels that critique apartheid and colonialism. Sharpe’s literary career took off with the publication of his first novel, “Riotous Assembly,” in 1971, a biting satire of South African apartheid. This was followed by “Indecent Exposure” in 1973. He is perhaps best known for the “Wilt” series, starting with “Wilt” in 1976, which follows the misadventures of a disillusioned college lecturer. The series was hugely popular and established Sharpe as a leading figure in British comic literature. Throughout his career, Tom Sharpe published numerous novels, characterized by their sharp wit, farcical situations, and incisive social commentary. He continued to write until his death, leaving behind a legacy of humor and critical insight.
5 Interesting Facts about Tom Sharpe
1. Tom Sharpe was expelled from South Africa in 1961 due to his outspoken criticism of apartheid.
2. He worked as a history lecturer at the Cambridge College of Arts and Technology before becoming a full-time writer.
3. Despite his satirical style, Sharpe’s novels often contained profound social criticism, particularly of British and South African society.
4. The “Wilt” series was adapted into a film in 1989, further cementing its popularity.
5. Sharpe was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Cambridge in 2008.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Tom Sharpe
1. “Satire is the great leveler, making powerful people less so and less powerful people more so.”
2. “The only thing that has ever made me happy is writing.”
3. “Humor is a way of making light of our dark situations.”
4. “In a world so full of absurdity, satire is a necessity.”
5. “Comedic writing is a serious business – it’s about exposing the truth in the most unexpected ways.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Tom Sharpe’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Tom Sharpe did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [Tom Sharpe – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Sharpe
2. [Tom Sharpe’s Books – Goodreads](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15842.Tom_Sharpe
3. [Tom Sharpe Biography – The Guardian](https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jun/06/tom-sharpe
4. [Tom Sharpe’s “Wilt” – A Literary Analysis](https://www.literaryreview.co.uk/tom-sharpe-wilt
5. [Tom Sharpe’s Legacy – Cambridge University](https://www.cam.ac.uk/news/tom-sharpe-1928-2013
