Alasdair Clayre


Alasdair George S. Clayre was a British author, broadcaster, singer-songwriter, and academic.

Early life and career

Clayre was born in Southampton, Hampshire on 9 October 1935. He won a scholarship to Winchester College, where he became head boy, and a further scholarship to Christ Church, Oxford where, as an undergraduate, his intellect was compared to that of Isaiah Berlin. He graduated with a congratulatory first class degree - the highest class of degree awarded at Oxford - and won a Prize Fellowship to All Soul's College - one of the highest academic honours in the United Kingdom.
Clayre recorded two albums of songs including many of his own compositions: Alasdair Clayre and Adam and the Beasts. He also appears on the Elektra folk song compilation A Cold Wind Blows. His English translation of "La Colombe" by Jacques Brel has been recorded by Judy Collins and Joan Baez. Another of his compositions, Train Song, has been recorded by Vashti Bunyan, while Adam and the Beasts has been recorded by Barry Dransfield and Shusha Guppy.

Personal life

Clayre married Felicity Bryan in 1974. They divorced in 1980.

Death

Clayre took his own life in 1984 by jumping in front of a train in North London.

Selected publications