Christopher Hitchens
Born 1949 · Age 76
British-American author, journalist and polemicist (1949–2011). Author of 18 books on politics, religion and literature; noted public intellectual and leading figure of New Atheism.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Portsmouth, England
Christopher Eric Hitchens born to Eric Ernest Hitchens and Yvonne Jean Hitchens in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England.
Entered Mount House School (Tavistock)
At about age eight Hitchens began attending Mount House School, Tavistock, Devon (one of his early private schools).
Joined the Labour Party (student membership)
Began formal political involvement by joining the Labour Party (later expelled with much of the student organisation).
Expelled from Labour students; joined International Socialists
Expelled (along with majority of Labour students) in protest at Wilson's Vietnam policy; soon joined the Trotskyist International Socialists.
Entered Balliol College, Oxford (PPE)
Matriculated at Balliol College, Oxford to read Philosophy, Politics and Economics; tutored by Steven Lukes and Anthony Kenny.
Appeared on University Challenge
Participated in the television quiz show University Challenge while an undergraduate at Oxford.
Graduated Oxford (BA PPE, 3rd class)
Graduated from Balliol College, University of Oxford with a third-class degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics.
Traveled United States on scholarship
Spent about a year travelling in the United States on a scholarship before beginning his first staff job.
Social science correspondent at Times Higher Education Supplement
Hired as social science correspondent; reportedly fired after six months.
Researcher for ITV's Weekend World
Worked as a researcher on the current affairs programme Weekend World for ITV.
Joined New Statesman as staff writer
Became a staff writer for the New Statesman, associating with a notable literary circle in London.
First leading New Statesman article (Greece/junta)
While in Greece reported on the constitutional crisis of the military junta — his first leading article for the New Statesman.
Mother's death (suicide) in Athens
Hitchens's mother died by suicide in a pact with a lover in Athens; Hitchens retrieved her body and was impacted deeply.
Interviewed Argentine dictator Videla
Conducted a high-profile, later-described 'horrifying' interview with Jorge Rafael Videla.
Moved to Daily Express as foreign correspondent
Left New Statesman to work as a foreign correspondent for the Daily Express.
Returned to New Statesman as assistant/foreign editor
Returned to the New Statesman and rose to assistant editor and then foreign editor.
Married Eleni Meleagrou
Married Greek Cypriot Eleni Meleagrou (the couple later had two children and divorced c.1989).
Moved to the United States (editor-exchange)
Emigrated to the U.S. as part of an editor-exchange between New Statesman and The Nation; began a long period writing in America.
Relocated to Washington, D.C.; began writing for The Nation
Established himself as a prominent columnist in The Nation (wrote the 'Minority Report' column and foreign policy critiques).
Published book 'Cyprus' (Hostage to History)
Published Cyprus (later reissued as Hostage to History), reflecting his reporting and analysis of the 1974 Cyprus conflict.
Birth of son Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens
Son Alexander (Alexander Meleagrou-Hitchens) was born; he later became a policy researcher in London.
Father died of oesophageal cancer
Hitchens's father, Eric Hitchens, died of oesophageal cancer — the same disease Christopher would later contract.
Met Carol Blue
Met Carol Blue in Los Angeles; they later married in 1991.
Published 'The Monarchy' and 'Blood, Class, and Nostalgia'
Published The Monarchy (1990) and Blood, Class, and Nostalgia: Anglo-American Ironies (1990), expanding his political commentary.
Married Carol Blue
Married American screenwriter Carol Blue in a ceremony at the apartment of Victor Navasky, editor of The Nation.
Received Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction
Awarded the Lannan Literary Award for Nonfiction in recognition of his work as an essayist and journalist.
Became contributing editor at Vanity Fair
Appointed contributing editor at Vanity Fair; wrote approximately ten columns per year for the magazine.
Wrote 'Hell's Angel' documentary (Mother Teresa)
Authored and participated in the documentary Hell's Angel (1994) which complemented his critical book on Mother Teresa.
Published 'The Missionary Position' (Mother Teresa critique)
Released The Missionary Position: Mother Teresa in Theory and Practice — a controversial critical biography and documentary tie-in (Hell's Angel).
Submitted affidavit in Clinton impeachment; published 'No One Left to Lie To'
In 1999 Hitchens and wife submitted an affidavit (contradicting Sidney Blumenthal) during Clinton impeachment; published No One Left to Lie To: The Triangulations of William Jefferson Clinton.
Published 'Unacknowledged Legislation' (collection)
Collected essays previously written for magazines and literary journals into Unacknowledged Legislation: Writers in the Public Sphere.
Published 'The Trial of Henry Kissinger'
Published The Trial of Henry Kissinger; the book was later adapted into a documentary film (2002).
Published 'Letters to a Young Contrarian'
Published a guide-like book Letters to a Young Contrarian (2001) distilling many of his polemical principles.
Documentary 'The Trials of Henry Kissinger' (film 2002)
The book The Trial of Henry Kissinger was adapted into a documentary film (2002) based on Hitchens's work.
Left The Nation over Iraq War disagreement
Resigned from The Nation in protest after disagreements with contributors about his pro-intervention stance on Iraq.
Published 'Why Orwell Matters'
Released Why Orwell Matters, a literary/critical study defending Orwell's relevance and anti-totalitarian socialism.
Published 'A Long Short War: The Postponed Liberation of Iraq'
Published a pro-intervention account arguing for the liberation of Iraq.
Published 'Love, Poverty and War' (essays & journeys)
Collected essays and reportage in Love, Poverty, and War: Journeys and Essays (2004).
Published 'Love, Poverty, and War: Journeys and Essays'
Collection of essays and reportage published in the U.S., consolidating his reputation as a major essayist.
Named #5 on 'Top 100 Public Intellectuals'
Placed fifth in a Foreign Policy / Prospect listing (online poll influenced by supporters).
Published 'Thomas Jefferson: Author of America'
Released a biography of Thomas Jefferson, assessing his achievements and contradictions.
Published 'Thomas Paine's "Rights of Man": A Biography'
Published a biography of Thomas Paine examining his influence in revolutionary thought.
Named Honorary Associate of Rationalist International and National Secular Society; advisory board of Secular Coalition for America
Following God Is Not Great Hitchens received honorary associations and joined the Secular Coalition for America's advisory board.
Published 'God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything'
Released a best-selling polemic against religion that cemented his status in the 'New Atheism' movement.
Won National Magazine Award (Columns & Commentary) for Vanity Fair work
Awarded the National Magazine Award in 'Columns and Commentary' for his Vanity Fair contributions.
Named to Freedom From Religion Foundation honorary board
Following God Is Not Great he was named to the Honorary Board of Distinguished Achievers of the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Became a United States citizen
Naturalised as a US citizen while retaining UK citizenship; described himself as Anglo‑American.
Hosted 'The Four Horsemen' discussion (Dawkins, Harris, Dennett)
Private, videotaped unmoderated two-hour discussion at Hitchens's residence featuring the leading New Atheists.
'God Is Not Great' nominated for National Book Award
God Is Not Great was nominated for a National Book Award (10 October 2007).
Finalist National Magazine Award (2008) for Slate columns
Finalist in the National Magazine Award 'Columns and Commentary' category in 2008 for columns in Slate (lost to Matt Taibbi).
Became media fellow at the Hoover Institution
Appointed as a media fellow at the Hoover Institution (September 2008).
Listed by Forbes among 25 'most influential liberals' in US media
In 2009 Forbes included Hitchens on its list of 25 most influential liberals in US media (he objected to the label).
Debated at Biola University (William Lane Craig)
On 4 April 2009 Hitchens debated William Lane Craig on the existence of God at Biola University.
Intelligence Squared debate on the Catholic Church
On 19 October 2009 Hitchens debated whether the Catholic Church is a force for good (won side lost by Hitchens and Stephen Fry).
Debated Tariq Ramadan at 92NY (Is Islam a religion of peace?)
On 5 October 2010 Hitchens debated Tariq Ramadan at the 92nd Street Y on the question whether Islam is a religion of peace.
Debated Tony Blair in Toronto Munk Debates (religion)
On 26 November 2010 Hitchens debated former PM Tony Blair on whether religion is a force for good.
Underwent genomics-targeted treatment under Francis Collins
Under the care of Francis Collins, Hitchens participated in newer genomic-targeted cancer treatments.
Hitch-22 shortlisted for National Book Critics Circle Award (Autobiography)
His memoir Hitch-22 was shortlisted for the 2010 National Book Critics Circle Award in Autobiography.
Announced diagnosis of oesophageal cancer
Publicly acknowledged undergoing treatment for oesophageal cancer and stated a guarded prognosis.
Published 'Hitch-22' (memoir)
Published his memoir Hitch-22 (2010), which received praise and award shortlist recognition.
Hospitalised with severe pericardial effusion; postponed book tour
On 8 June 2010, during the Hitch-22 tour in New York, he was taken into emergency care with pericardial effusion and announced cancer treatment.
Won National Magazine Award for Columns about Cancer
Received the National Magazine Award (2011) in recognition of his columns about his cancer experience.
Asteroid 57901 Hitchens named in his honour
Prior to his death in December 2011, asteroid 57901 was officially named 'Hitchens'.
Received Richard Dawkins Award (Texas Freethought Convention)
Accepted the Richard Dawkins Award at the Texas Freethought Convention on 8 October 2011; his final public appearance.
Died of pneumonia related to oesophageal cancer
Died at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston; body donated to medical research per his wishes.
Posthumous publication 'Mortality'
A collection of seven essays about his illness and mortality (from Vanity Fair) was published posthumously in September 2012.
Hitchens Prize established
The Dennis and Victoria Ross Foundation established the Christopher Hitchens Prize — $50,000 annual award for writers/journalists committed to free expression.
Posthumous anthology 'And Yet...' published
And Yet... (a posthumous assembly of essays) was published in 2015, extending his literary legacy.
Key Achievement Ages
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