John Batchelor is Professor of English Literature at the University of Newcastle, having previously been a Fellow of New College Oxford. His previous biographies include books about Ruskin, Virginia Woolf, H.G. Wells and Conrad, and he is working on a major biography of Tennyson. He is editor of of the literary magazine Modern Language Review (English and American Literature).From the reviews of his book on Ruskin (Chatto hardback, Vintage paperback):'The perfect condensed account of Ruskin's life' Alain de Botton, Daily Telegraph'Altogether an inspiring volume, filled with scholarship and love' Peter Ackroyd, The Times'Lucid, timely and important' Chris Woodhead, Mail on Sunday'Excellent new biographical study ... attractively written and well argued, it finds room for a good deal of picturesque detail' John Gross, Sunday Times