A life in dates
- 28 January 1935: Born – Dulwich, London, England
- 1984: Small World – Novel
- 1984: Small World – Shortlist, The Booker Prize
- 1988: Nice Work – Novel
- 1988: Nice Work – Shortlist, The Booker Prize
- 1 January 2025: Died – Birmingham, England, Aged 89.