Malcolm Bradbury

Born:: September 7, 1932, Sheffield, England
Died:: November 27, 2000, Norwich, England
Nationality:: British
Profession(s):: Novelist, Writer, Literary Critic, Professor

Early Life and Education

Bradbury was educated at West Bridgford Grammar School and High Pavement Grammar School, Nottingham.
He obtained a BA degree in English from the University of Leicester and a MA degree from the University of Manchester.
He later completed his PhD at the University of Manchester with a thesis on the novel.

Career and Major Achievements

Bradbury was a professor of American Studies at the University of East Anglia (UEA) from 1970 until his retirement in 2000. He played a major role in establishing UEA's renowned creative writing program.
He was a prolific writer of novels, short stories, and television screenplays.
He was an influential literary critic and theorist, particularly on the development of the modern novel.
He co-founded the MA in Creative Writing at the UEA with Angus Wilson, which became highly influential.

Notable Works

Novels

Eating People is Wrong (1959)
Stepping Westward (1965)
The History Man (1975)
Rates of Exchange (1983)
Doctor Criminale (1992)
To the Hermitage (2000)

Television Adaptations (Writer)

The History Man (1981)
Porterhouse Blue (1987)
Anything More Would Be Greedy (1989)
Nice Work (1994)

Literary Criticism

Possibilities: Essays on the State of the Novel (1973)
The Modern American Novel (1983)
No, Not Bloomsbury (1987)
From Puritanism to Postmodernism: A History of American Literature (1991)

Legacy and Impact

Malcolm Bradbury's contribution to British literature and education is significant. His novels satirized academic life and social trends, while his academic work helped shape the study of modern literature. As explored in any detailed 'malcolm bradbury biography', his work at UEA established a legacy of creative writing education that continues to influence writers today. His screenplays brought his satirical vision to a wider audience.