Sir Michael Holroyd: Words

Michael Holroyd’s catalogue of achievements is both long and impressive, securing him a place in the contemporary literary hall of fame. In 1971 he completed his biography of Lytton Strachey and by 1976 the biography of Augustus John was published. The first of his four volume biography of George Bernard Shaw appeared in 1989.

Accolades quickly followed – among them the 1988 presidency of the English branch of PEN. In 1989 he was awarded the CBE, in 2001 he was awarded the Hayward Literary Prize and in 2005 he gained the David Cohen Prize. In 2005 Michael Holroyd was knighted in the New Year’s Honours List for his services to English Literature. Educated at Eton, Michael has often claimed Maidenhead Public Library as his alma mater!