Television Broadcaster, Poet, And Critic, Clive James, 80, Has Died

Nov 28, 2019 by apost team

Clive James, the Australian wit who made a name for himself in Britain over several decades has passed away after a long illness at his home in Cambridge, England on November 24. He was a gifted writer known for his dry humor who straddled the worlds of high and low brow topics in his articles, poems, and on his own television shows.

His agents released a statement quoted in The Guardian saying that he passed away ten years after a leukemia diagnosis, noting “He endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this ‘great, good world’.

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He was Australian by birth and immigrated to England in the 1960s where he enrolled at Cambridge University and later began writing columns for various publications. He turned to television by first becoming a critic and then having his own TV shows. Among the several hats he wore, he also continued to write poetry and books at a regular pace, all the way up to a month prior to his death.

Celebrities that James ran into over his career have expressed their grief on social media, including fellow Aussie Kylie Minogue who appeared on one of his TV shows, remarking “What a spirit you were!”

Julia Gillard, former Prime Minister  of Australia, also shared a touching tribute calling him a raconteur “who showed great wisdom as he faced death.” James was known for constantly updating his obituary and ruminating on his final years. Even his renowned 2014 poem “Japanese Maple” was a gorgeous meditation on his impending demise, using the imagery of a maple tree turning colors in the fall.

Rest in peace to the great Clive James. He will be missed. Please be sure to tell us your favorite memories of his work and pass on the news to others.