Mark Haworth-Boothserved as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) from 1970 - 2004 and, as senior curator of photographs, helped to build up its great collection of photography. He is now an Honorary Research Fellow at the V&A and a Senior Fellow of the Royal College of Art. He was appointed an Officer of the British Empire for services to museums in 2005 and he became an Honorary Doctor of Arts of the University of the Arts London in 2012.

''Elegantly written and cogently argued ... His book is founded on a deep respect for, and love of, his subject''s curious greatness''

Paul Bailey reviews Richard Bradford''s earlier Larkin biographyFirst Boredom, Then FearinThe Independent

Richard Bradfordis Research Professor in English at the University of Ulster and aside from having published a large number of academic monographs he has earned a considerable reputation as the author of literary biographies of Philip Larkin, Kingsley Amis, Alan Sillitoe and Martin Amis. His bookThe Odd Coupleon the curious relationship between Amis and Larkin was described as ''a lively, readable and often scandalous portrait'' by theSunday Times.