Saturday 23 January 2010 morning ceremony
 Philip Pullman (DLitt)
Philip Pullman was born in Norwich. He was a teacher for some years before becoming a full-time writer. He is the author of many books including the trilogy "His Dark Materials", the first volume of which, "Northern Lights", was voted by readers their favourite of all those that have won the Carnegie Medal. The third volume, "The Amber Spyglass", was the first children's book to win the overall Whitbread Award. Several of his books have been adapted for the stage and the screen, notably at the National Theatre. His other books include the fairy tales “The Firework-Maker’s Daughter” and “The Scarecrow and His Servant”.
Philip Pullman has long been interested in the relationship between words and pictures, and in other matters of narrative. He has written and spoken about that subject on several occasions. Recently he has also written and spoken frequently on the subjects of politics and human rights. He is a Patron of the Palestine Festival of Literature.
He is also very interested in myths and folk tales, and is preparing a selection of Grimm’s tales for Penguin Classics. His most recent book, due to be published in March 2010, is called “The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ”, whose title perhaps indicates its heterodox view of the origins of Christianity.
Philip Pullman was awarded the CBE in 2004, and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for children’s literature in 2005. He lives in Oxford, and is married to Jude. They have two children and three grandchildren.
|
