Paul Clements

Writer and broadcaster Paul Clements talks about his biography of one of the 20th century’s most talented writers Jan Morris.

Clements knew Morris personally for 30 years. He has used a wealth of interviews and archival material to give the first full account of the author of Venice, Pax Britannica and Conundrum. Clements describes a life equally as fascinating as the books. Morris spent her childhood in Oxford before military service in Italy and the Middle East and life as a foreign correspondent. She was the only correspondent to join the first ascent of Everest, covered the Adolf Eichmann trial and was a renowned transgender pioneer.

Clements is a journalist, writer and broadcaster. He is author of five travel books and a biography of Richard Hayward that was adapted for BBC television. He edited a collection of tributes to Morris on her 80th birthday and wrote the first critical study of her work during a spell at the University of Oxford.