A life in dates
- 20 April 1953: Born – Donnington, Berkshire, England
- 1974: Completes his Cambridge degree – Cambridge, England, Graduates from Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
- 1979: Joins the Daily Telegraph – London, England, Begins work at the newspaper during his career in journalism.
- August 1989: The Girl at the Lion d'Or – Novel
- 1992: A Fool's Alphabet – Novel
- 16 September 1993: Birdsong – Novel
- February 1999: Charlotte Gray – Novel
- 2001: On Green Dolphin Street – Novel
- 2009: A Week in December – Novel