Peter Ackroyd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Peter Ackroyd
CBE FRSL
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Ackroyd in 2007
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| Born | 5 October 1949 East Acton, London, England, United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Author, critic |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Clare College, Cambridge (BA) |
| Period | 1976–present |
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| Subject | London and its inhabitants; English history and culture |
| Partner | Brian Kuhn (1980; died 1994) |
Peter Ackroyd (born 5 October 1949) is a famous English writer. He writes biographies, novels, and is a critic. He is especially interested in the history and culture of London. Peter Ackroyd has won several awards for his books. These include the Somerset Maugham Award and two Whitbread Awards. He is known for writing many books, using different styles, and doing deep research.
He became a member of the Royal Society of Literature in 1984. In 2003, he was given the title of Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE).
Contents
Early Life and Education
Peter Ackroyd was born in London, England. He grew up in East Acton with his mother and grandmother. He went to St. Benedict's in Ealing. Later, he studied at Clare College, Cambridge. He earned a high degree in English literature there. In 1972, he studied at Yale University in the United States.
Peter Ackroyd's Books and Writing Style
Peter Ackroyd's first book, Notes for a New Culture, was published in 1976. He was only 22 when he wrote it. This book showed his interest in exploring the works of other writers from London.
He worked at The Spectator magazine from 1973 to 1977. He was the literary editor there. He also became a managing editor from 1978 to 1982. He was the main book reviewer for The Times newspaper. He also often spoke on the radio. Since 1984, he has been a member of the Royal Society of Literature.
His writing career began with poetry. Some of his poetry books include London Lickpenny (1973). In 1982, he published his first novel, The Great Fire of London. This book was a new version of Charles Dickens' novel Little Dorrit.
His novels often mix historical settings with modern-day parts. Many of his books are set in London. They explore how the city changes but also stays the same. He often looks at this idea through London's artists and writers. For example, he wrote about Oscar Wilde in The Last Testament of Oscar Wilde (1983). He also wrote about John Dee in The House of Dr Dee (1993).
His novel Hawksmoor won the Whitbread Novel Award. It also won the Guardian Fiction Prize. His book Chatterton (1987) was nominated for the Booker Prize.
Exploring London's History and Culture
Peter Ackroyd has a deep interest in London. He believes that the city itself has a special spirit. He thinks that places can affect people's character. He also believes that patterns of feeling from the past still exist in London today.
He wrote a series of books about London and English culture. These include London: The Biography (2000). This book is a very detailed look at London through history. Other books in this series are Albion: The Origins of the English Imagination (2002) and Thames: Sacred River (2007). These books explore themes in English culture from ancient times to now. They show his idea of a spiritual connection to places over time.
Biographies of Famous People
Ackroyd is also known for his biographies of famous writers and artists. He has written about Ezra Pound (1980) and T. S. Eliot (1984). He also wrote about Charles Dickens (1990) and William Blake (1995). Other biographies include Thomas More (1998) and William Shakespeare (2005). The city of London is often a key part of these biographies too.
Books for Young Readers
From 2003 to 2005, Peter Ackroyd wrote a six-book series called Voyages Through Time. These books were written for readers as young as eight years old. This was his first time writing for children. Critics praised the series. The Sunday Times called them "unfolding feasts that leave you with a sense of wonder." The series tells the story of important times in world history.
In an interview, Peter Ackroyd said he thinks William Blake is the most important thinker in English history. He also said he loves London for its "power, its majesty, its darkness, its shadows."
Personal Life
Peter Ackroyd had a long relationship with Brian Kuhn. Brian was an American dancer he met at Yale. They moved to Devon together. Sadly, Brian passed away in 1994. After that, Peter Ackroyd moved back to London. In 1999, he had a heart attack.
Awards and Honours
Peter Ackroyd has received many awards for his writing:
- 1984: Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature
- 1984: Heinemann Award for T. S. Eliot
- 1984: Somerset Maugham Award for The Last Testament of Oscar Wilde
- 1984: Whitbread Biography Award for T. S. Eliot
- 1985: Guardian Fiction Prize for Hawksmoor
- 1985: Whitbread Novel Award for Hawksmoor
- 1988: Nominated for the Booker Prize for Fiction for Chatterton
- 1998: James Tait Black Memorial Prize for The Life of Thomas More
- 2001: South Bank Show Annual Award for Literature for London: The Biography
- 2003: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- 2006: Foreign Honorary Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
- 2006: Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) from Brunel University
See also
In Spanish: Peter Ackroyd para niños
