Andrew Sinclair

Andrew Annandale Sinclair (1935–2019) was a British author, historian, biographer, critic, filmmaker, and publisher. Educated at Eton and Cambridge, he pursued a varied career that spanned fiction, non-fiction, and film. His writing was noted for its "extraordinary fluency and copiousness." Sinclair's literary output included novels, biographies of notable figures like Che Guevara and Dylan Thomas, and historical works, particularly on American history. He also ventured into filmmaking, directing adaptations of his own work and others, including "Under Milk Wood." In addition to his creative and scholarly pursuits, Sinclair co-founded Lorrimer Publishing, which specialized in publishing original film screenplays. His work touched upon various themes, and his biographies, such as "The Sword and the Grail" and "The Discovery of the Grail," suggest an interest in historical mysteries and legendary subjects.

Sinclair's extensive bibliography demonstrates a wide range of interests. As a novelist, he produced works like "The Breaking of Bumbo" and "Gog." His biographical subjects were diverse, including Che Guevara, Dylan Thomas, Jack London, and J.P. Morgan. In history, he focused on American social history, with titles such as "Prohibition: The Era of Excess" and "A Concise History of the United States." His works "The Sword and the Grail" and "The Discovery of the Grail" indicate an engagement with Arthurian legend and related esoteric traditions. He was recognized for his literary achievements, including the Somerset Maugham Prize and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Beyond his writing, Sinclair was active in the film industry. He directed several films, including "The Breaking of Bumbo," "Under Milk Wood," and "Blue Blood." He also produced "Malachi's Cove." In 1966, he co-founded Lorrimer Publishing with Peter Whitehead. This publishing house focused on releasing the original screenplays of classic films, a venture that preserved and disseminated cinematic scripts for wider appreciation. His film "Dylan on Dylan" explored the life of the poet.

“writer of extraordinary fluency and copiousness, whether in fiction or in American social history”

“At the age of 22, Andrew Sinclair woke up one morning to find himself, like Byron, suddenly famous”

“From the beginning Andrew Sinclair established himself as a writer of extraordinary fluency and copiousness, whether in fiction or in American social history”