John Julius Norwich

John Julius Cooper, 2nd Viscount Norwich (15 September 1929 – 1 June 2018), was an English author known for his contributions to historical writing, travel literature, and television broadcasting. He was born in London and was the son of Duff Cooper, a Conservative politician and diplomat, and Lady Diana Manners, an actress and society figure.

Norwich was born at the Alfred House Nursing Home on Portland Place in Marylebone, London. His birth on 15 September 1929 was by caesarean section, which influenced the naming of "Julius." His early education included attendance at Egerton House School in Dorset Square, London. Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, the school was evacuated to Northamptonshire. In 1940, his parents arranged for him to be evacuated to North America; he attended Upper Canada College in Toronto, Canada, during this period and spent holidays with William S. Paley’s family on Long Island, New York. He returned to Britain in 1942, continuing his education at Eton College. After the war, Norwich studied at the University of Strasbourg while his father served as ambassador to France. He completed his national service with the Royal Navy and later obtained a degree in French and Russian from New College, Oxford.

In 1952, Norwich joined the British Foreign Service. His diplomatic career included postings in Yugoslavia and Lebanon, and he served as a member of the British delegation to the Disarmament Conference in Geneva. Upon the death of his father in 1954, he inherited the title of the second Viscount Norwich, having been created for his father in 1952. This inheritance granted him a seat in the House of Lords until the House of Lords Act 1999.

In 1964, Norwich resigned from diplomatic service to pursue a career as a writer. His published works predominantly focused on history, with notable titles including biographies and histories of Sicily under the Normans (first published in 1967 and 1970), Venice (1977 and 1981), the Byzantine Empire (1988, 1992, 1995), the Mediterranean (2006), and the Papacy (2011). He also edited series such as Great Architecture of the World, The Italian World, The New Shell Guides to Great Britain, The Oxford Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Art, and the Duff Cooper Diaries.

Norwich contributed extensively to radio and television. He was the host of the BBC radio panel game "My Word!" from 1978 to 1982 and was a regional contestant on "Round Britain Quiz." He wrote and presented approximately 30 television documentaries on topics including the Fall of Constantinople, Napoleon’s Hundred Days, Cortés and Montezuma, The Antiquities of Turkey, The Gates of Asia, Maximilian of Mexico, Toussaint L'Ouverture of Haiti, The Knights of Malta, Treasure Houses of Britain, and The Death of the Prince Imperial in the Zulu War.

In addition to his writing and broadcasting activities, Norwich was involved in charitable work related to historical preservation and arts. He served as chairman of the Venice in Peril Fund, honorary chairman of the World Monuments Fund, and was a member of the General Committee of Save Venice. He was also vice-president of the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies and participated in the executive committee of the National Trust. He was involved with the English National Opera as well as the SHARE Community, which provides vocational training to disabled individuals.

Norwich compiled a series called "Christmas Crackers," consisting of literary and historical extracts, word games, and irregular miscellany, culminating in his 49th edition, assembled shortly before his death.

His personal life included two marriages: first to Anne Frances May Clifford, with whom he had a daughter, Artemis Cooper, and a son, Jason Charles Duff Bede Cooper. After divorcing Clifford, he married the Hon. Mary (Makins) Philipps. He was also the father of Allegra Huston, born from an affair with Enrica Soma. He resided largely in Little Venice, London, later relocating to Bayswater. Norwich died at King Edward VII’s Hospital in London on 1 June 2018 at the age of 88. He was cremated, with his ashes kept by his family, awaiting a future scattering in the Venetian Lagoon.

Throughout his life, Norwich received numerous honors, including appointment as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1992 by Queen Elizabeth II.