James Naughtie


1951 -

Broadcaster and political journalist. Born in Milltown of Rothiemay (Moray), Naughtie was educated at the Universities of Aberdeen and Syracuse (New York). He began his career with the Aberdeen Press and Journal (1974-77), moving to The Scotsman in London (1977-84) and the Guardian (1984-88). The Laurence Stern Fellowship gave him the opportunity the work at the Washington Post in 1981.

He moved to BBC radio becoming presenter of The World at One (1988-94) and joined the leading news and current affairs programme Today in 1994. He has also presented The Week in Westminster, Bookclub, numerous documentaries on radio, in addition to introducing classical music on radio and television. He retired from Today in 2015, but continues to broadcast for the BBC with programmes including The World This Weekend and Letter to America.

His books include Playing the Palace: A Westminster Collection (1984) and the controversial The Rivals - Blair and Brown: the Intimate Story of a Political Marriage (2002) which inspired the Channel Four television drama The Deal.

Known for his enthusiasm and spirited personality, Naughtie has been the recipient of several awards, including the Sony Award for Radio Personality of the Year (1991). Naughtie has also served as a judge for the Whitbread Book Awards. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Stirling in 2001, and served as its Chancellor (2008-18). Naughtie was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2017.


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