Ian Thomson

Ian Thomson is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Non-Fiction at the University of East Anglia, affiliated with the School of Literature, Drama and Creative Writing. He is a member of the Creative Writing Research Group and the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Century Research Group, contributing to both literary scholarship and creative practice.

• Bachelor of Arts, Pembroke College, Cambridge

Thomson’s research centers on creative non-fiction, literary biography, and 20th-century historical narratives, with a particular focus on Italy, the Caribbean, and the Baltic region. His work often explores themes of exile, identity, and political upheaval through a blend of personal reflection and rigorous historical inquiry. His acclaimed biographies of Primo Levi and explorations of Haiti and Jamaica exemplify his deep engagement with postcolonial and human rights issues.

His recent publications reflect a sustained interest in Italian intellectuals, wartime history, and the intersection of fiction and reality in spy literature. Articles from 2023–2024 examine figures like Indro Montanelli and Eric Ambler, situating their work within broader cultural and political contexts.

Thomson has received several prestigious awards for his writing:

• Royal Society of Literature W.H. Heinemann Award (2003)
• Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize (2010)
• Dolman Travel Book Award (2010)

He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and has served as a judge for literary prizes including the RLS Somerset Maugham Prize and the Ondaatje Prize. While no formal students are listed, his mentorship likely extends through his teaching and Royal Literary Fund fellowship. He is currently working on a book about his mother’s Baltic origins during World War II, supported by his deep archival and narrative research skills. Thomson is actively involved in public intellectual life, contributing to major publications such as the Observer, Times Literary Supplement, and Spectator.

He is associated with research groups at UEA and continues to publish across genres, including books, articles, and translations, demonstrating a vibrant and ongoing scholarly and creative trajectory.