James Hamilton-Paterson was born in London in 1941.

He studied at Oxford University, where he won the prestigious Newdigate Prize. Over the last 20 years he has divided his time between the Philippines and Italy. He now spends most of his time in Tuscany, although he still travels extensively. He has written poetry, fiction and non-fiction. He has also written for the New Statesman, the Sunday Times, and the Times Literary Supplement.