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{{short description|British writer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
{{Infobox writer <!-- for more information see [[:Template:Infobox writer/doc]] -->
| name = Tom Hodgkinson
| name = Tom Hodgkinson
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| alma_mater = Jesus College, Cambridge
| alma_mater = Jesus College, Cambridge
| period = 1993–present
| period = 1993–present
| genre = [[Politics]], [[satire]]
| genre = Politics, satire
| subject =
| subject =
| movement = Idling
| movement = Idling
| notableworks = ''[[The Idler (1993)|The Idler]]'' (editor); ''How to be Idle''; ''How to be Free''; ''[[The Idle Parent]]''
| notableworks = ''[[The Idler (1993)|The Idler]]'' (editor) <br> ''How to be Idle'' <br> ''How to be Free'' <br> ''[[The Idle Parent]]''
| spouse =
| spouse =
| partner =
| partner =
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}}
}}


'''Tom Hodgkinson''' (born 1968) is a [[Great Britain|British]] writer, and the editor of ''[[The Idler (1993)|The Idler]]'', which he established in 1993 with his friend [[Gavin Pretor-Pinney]]. His philosophy, in his published books and articles, is of a relaxed approach to life, enjoying it as it comes rather than toiling for an imagined better future. ''[[The Idler (1758–60)|The Idler]]'' was originally a series of essays written by [[Samuel Johnson|Dr Johnson]] from 1758 to 1760.
'''Tom Hodgkinson''' (born 1968) is a British writer and the editor of ''[[The Idler (1993)|The Idler]]'' magazine, which he established in 1993 with his friend [[Gavin Pretor-Pinney]]. His philosophy, in his published books and articles, is of a [[simple living|relaxed approach]] to life, enjoying it as it comes rather than [[wage slavery|toiling]] for an imagined better future. ''[[The Idler (1758–60)|The Idler]]'' was named after a series of essays written by [[Samuel Johnson|Dr Johnson]] from 1758 to 1760.


==Biography==
==Biography==


Tom Hodgkinson was born in Newcastle, England. He is the brother of journalist and author [[Will Hodgkinson]]; their father is the science and medical writer Neville Hodgkinson and their mother is the prolific non-fiction writer and journalist [[Liz Hodgkinson]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/10862459/The-House-Is-Full-of-Yogis-by-Will-Hodgkinson-review.html Review by Mick Brown in ''The Telegraph'' of ''The House Is Full of Yogis'' by Will Hodgkinson]</ref><ref>http://www.lizhodgkinson.com/lh/biography Biography page on Liz Hodgkinson's website</ref>
Tom Hodgkinson was born in [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle, England]]. He is the brother of journalist and author [[Will Hodgkinson]]; their father is the science and medical writer Neville Hodgkinson and their mother is the prolific non-fiction writer and journalist [[Liz Hodgkinson]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/bookreviews/10862459/The-House-Is-Full-of-Yogis-by-Will-Hodgkinson-review.html Review by Mick Brown in ''The Telegraph'' of ''The House Is Full of Yogis'' by Will Hodgkinson]</ref><ref>http://www.lizhodgkinson.com/lh/biography Biography page on Liz Hodgkinson's website</ref>


Tom was educated at [[Westminster School]] and [[Jesus College, Cambridge]], during which time he played the bass guitar in the [[The Stupids (band)|Stupids]]-influenced thrash band Chopper. He lived in North Devon until 2013. He currently lives in London.<ref name="ratrace">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/tom-hodgkinson-having-successfully-quit-the-rat-race-i-now-find-myself-trying-to-get-back-into-it-8884380.html|title=''Tom Hodgkinson: Having successfully quit the rat race, I now find myself trying to get back into it''|work=The Independent|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref>
Hodgkinson was educated at [[Westminster School]] and [[Jesus College, Cambridge]], during which time he played the bass guitar in the [[The Stupids (band)|Stupids]]-influenced thrash band Chopper. He lived in [[North Devon]] until 2013. He currently lives in London.<ref name="ratrace">{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/tom-hodgkinson-having-successfully-quit-the-rat-race-i-now-find-myself-trying-to-get-back-into-it-8884380.html|title=Tom Hodgkinson: Having successfully quit the rat race, I now find myself trying to get back into it|work=The Independent|date=17 October 2013 |access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>


In the early 1990s, he worked at a [[Rough Trade (shops)|Rough Trade Records]] shop in London, where he had the idea for ''The Idler''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wringham.co.uk/the-great-escape-tom-hodgkinson-with-neil-scott/|title=The Great Escape: Tom Hodgkinson (with Neil Scott)|publisher=|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref> In the late 1990s he became an importer of [[absinthe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/feb/07/featuresreviews.guardianreview|title=Review: Hideous Absinthe by Jad Adams - Books - The Guardian|author=Tom Hodgkinson|work=the Guardian|accessdate=20 September 2014}}</ref>
In the early 1990s, he worked at a [[Rough Trade (shops)|Rough Trade Records]] shop in London, where he had the idea for ''The Idler''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wringham.co.uk/the-great-escape-tom-hodgkinson-with-neil-scott/|title=The Great Escape: Tom Hodgkinson (with Neil Scott)|access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref> In the late 1990s, he became an importer of [[absinthe]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2004/feb/07/featuresreviews.guardianreview|title=Review: Hideous Absinthe by Jad Adams – Books – The Guardian|author=Tom Hodgkinson|work=The Guardian|date=7 February 2004 |access-date=20 September 2014}}</ref>


From 1995 to 1997 he was Joint Head of Creative Development at Guardian Newspapers, where he worked for Carolyn McCall and Alan Rusbridger.
From 1995 to 1997 he was Joint Head of Creative Development at Guardian Newspapers, where he worked for Carolyn McCall and Alan Rusbridger.{{fact|date=June 2019}}


From 1997 to 2002 he and Gavin Pretor-Pinney ran Idle Industries, a creative consultancy with clients such as Channel 4, the Guardian, Sony PlayStation, ad agency Mother, Paramount TV and Oakley.
From 1997 to 2002 he and Gavin Pretor-Pinney ran Idle Industries, a creative consultancy with clients such as [[Channel 4]], ''[[The Guardian]]'', Sony PlayStation, ad agency Mother, Paramount TV and Oakley. The pair launched the ''Crap Towns'' series of books.{{fact|date=June 2019}}


⚫
Hodgkinson has contributed articles to ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'' as well as being the author of the ''Idler'' spin-offs, ''How To Be Idle'', ''How To Be Free'' and ''[[The Idle Parent]]''.
The pair launched the best-selling Crap Towns series of books.


⚫
''How to Be Idle'' has been translated into 25 languages and was a best-seller in the UK, US, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic.{{fact|date=June 2019}}
⚫
Hodgkinson has contributed articles to ''[[The Sunday Telegraph]]'', ''[[The Guardian]]'' and ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|The Sunday Times]]'' as well as being the author of the ''Idler'' [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]]s, ''How To Be Idle'', ''How To Be Free'' and ''[[The Idle Parent]]''.

⚫
''How to be Idle'' has been translated into 25 languages and was a best-seller in the UK, US, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic.


In 2006 he created National Unawareness Day, to be celebrated on 1 November.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2006/nov/01/november1nationalunawarenes1 | date=November 2006 | newspaper=The Guardian | title=November 1: National Unawareness Day}}</ref>
In 2006 he created National Unawareness Day, to be celebrated on 1 November.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2006/nov/01/november1nationalunawarenes1 | date=November 2006 | newspaper=The Guardian | title=November 1: National Unawareness Day}}</ref>


In March 2011 he and his partner Victoria Hull launched The Idler Academy in London, a school running courses in philosophy, public speaking, grammar, ukulele, singing, drawing, calligraphy, astronomy, foraging, bread baking, [[bartitsu]] and small business.<ref>{{cite news | title=Truth, beauty... idleness | url=https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/features/culture/truth-beautyidleness/417148.article | newspaper=Times Higher Education | date=August 2011 | author=Matthew Reisz }}</ref>
In March 2011 he and his partner Victoria Hull launched The Idler Academy in London, a school running courses in philosophy, public speaking, grammar, [[ukulele]], singing, drawing, calligraphy, astronomy, foraging, bread baking, [[bartitsu]] and small business.<ref>{{cite news | title=Truth, beauty... idleness | url=https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/features/culture/truth-beautyidleness/417148.article | newspaper=Times Higher Education | date=August 2011 | author=Matthew Reisz }}</ref><ref>https://thecreativelife.net/tom-hodgkinson/</ref>


In April 2013 he launched the Idler Academy Bad Grammar Award,<ref>{{cite news | title=Just how bad is bad grammar? | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-22378402 | date=May 2013 | newspaper=BBC News }}</ref> and in September 2013 he launched the Ukulele Player of the Year competition. Bloomsbury UK and Bloomsbury US published his and Gavin's book, ''The Ukulele Handbook''.<ref>{{cite news | title=Tom Hodgkinson: 'Jeremy Clarkson howled with horror and crawled under the table to escape' | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/tom-hodgkinson-jeremy-clarkson-howled-with-horror-and-crawled-under-the-table-to-escape-8779090.html | newspaper=The Independent | date=August 2013}}</ref>
In April 2013 he launched the Idler Academy Bad Grammar Award,<ref>{{cite news | title=Just how bad is bad grammar? | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-22378402 | date=May 2013 | publisher=BBC News }}</ref> and in September 2013 he launched the Ukulele Player of the Year competition. Bloomsbury UK and Bloomsbury US published his and Gavin's book, ''The Ukulele Handbook''.<ref>{{cite news | title=Tom Hodgkinson: 'Jeremy Clarkson howled with horror and crawled under the table to escape' | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/tom-hodgkinson-jeremy-clarkson-howled-with-horror-and-crawled-under-the-table-to-escape-8779090.html | newspaper=The Independent | date=August 2013}}</ref>


== Bibliography ==
== Bibliography ==
* ''[[The Idler (1993)|The Idler]]'' (periodical: 1993–present)
*''[[The Idler (1993)|The Idler]]'' (periodical: 1993–present)
*''How To Be Idle'' (2005)
*''How To Be Idle'' (2005)
*''How To Be Free'' (October 2006)
*''How To Be Free'' (2006)
:*Republished as ''The Freedom Manifesto'' (US Release, 2007)
*''The Freedom Manifesto: How to Free Yourself from Anxiety, Fear, Mortgages, Money, Guilt, Debt, Government, Boredom, Supermarkets, Bills, Melancholy, Pain, Depression, Work, and Waste'' (December 2007; the US release of ''How to Be Free'')
*''The Idle Parent'' (2009)
*''The Idle Parent'' (2009)
*''The Book of Idle Pleasures'' (May 2010; co-edited with [[Dan Kieran]])
*''Brave Old World'' (2011)
*''Brave Old World'' (2011)
:*Republished as ''How to Live in the Country'' (2021)
*''The Ukulele Handbook'' (September 2013; co-written with [[Vampire Weekend]])
*''The Ukulele Handbook'' (September 2013; co-written with [[Vampire Weekend]])
*''Business for Bohemians'' (2017)
*''The Idler's Manual'' (2021)


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
<references/>


==External links==
==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{wikiquote}}
*[http://idler.co.uk/ ''The Idler'' Website]
*[http://idler.co.uk/ ''The Idler'' Website]
* [http://www.wikisummaries.org/How_To_Be_Idle How To Be Idle] at [[WikiSummaries]]
*[http://www.wikisummaries.org/How_To_Be_Idle How To Be Idle] at [[WikiSummaries]]


{{Simple living}}
{{Simple living}}
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[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People educated at Westminster School, London]]
[[Category:People educated at Westminster School, London]]
[[Category:People from Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:Writers from Newcastle upon Tyne]]
[[Category:Critics of work and the work ethic]]
[[Category:Critics of work and the work ethic]]
[[Category:Simple living advocates]]
[[Category:Simple living advocates]]

Latest revision as of 14:37, 7 March 2024

Tom Hodgkinson
Hodgkinson at 2009 event, "The Great Escape"
Hodgkinson at 2009 event, "The Great Escape"
Born1968
Newcastle, England
OccupationJournalist, author
Alma materJesus College, Cambridge
Period1993–present
GenrePolitics, satire
Literary movementIdling
Notable worksThe Idler (editor)
How to be Idle
How to be Free
The Idle Parent
Website
idler.co.uk

Tom Hodgkinson (born 1968) is a British writer and the editor of The Idler magazine, which he established in 1993 with his friend Gavin Pretor-Pinney. His philosophy, in his published books and articles, is of a relaxed approach to life, enjoying it as it comes rather than toiling for an imagined better future. The Idler was named after a series of essays written by Dr Johnson from 1758 to 1760.

Biography[edit]

Tom Hodgkinson was born in Newcastle, England. He is the brother of journalist and author Will Hodgkinson; their father is the science and medical writer Neville Hodgkinson and their mother is the prolific non-fiction writer and journalist Liz Hodgkinson.[1][2]

Hodgkinson was educated at Westminster School and Jesus College, Cambridge, during which time he played the bass guitar in the Stupids-influenced thrash band Chopper. He lived in North Devon until 2013. He currently lives in London.[3]

In the early 1990s, he worked at a Rough Trade Records shop in London, where he had the idea for The Idler.[4] In the late 1990s, he became an importer of absinthe.[5]

From 1995 to 1997 he was Joint Head of Creative Development at Guardian Newspapers, where he worked for Carolyn McCall and Alan Rusbridger.[citation needed]

From 1997 to 2002 he and Gavin Pretor-Pinney ran Idle Industries, a creative consultancy with clients such as Channel 4, The Guardian, Sony PlayStation, ad agency Mother, Paramount TV and Oakley. The pair launched the Crap Towns series of books.[citation needed]

Hodgkinson has contributed articles to The Sunday Telegraph, The Guardian and The Sunday Times as well as being the author of the Idler spin-offs, How To Be Idle, How To Be Free and The Idle Parent.

How to Be Idle has been translated into 25 languages and was a best-seller in the UK, US, Italy, Germany and the Czech Republic.[citation needed]

In 2006 he created National Unawareness Day, to be celebrated on 1 November.[6]

In March 2011 he and his partner Victoria Hull launched The Idler Academy in London, a school running courses in philosophy, public speaking, grammar, ukulele, singing, drawing, calligraphy, astronomy, foraging, bread baking, bartitsu and small business.[7][8]

In April 2013 he launched the Idler Academy Bad Grammar Award,[9] and in September 2013 he launched the Ukulele Player of the Year competition. Bloomsbury UK and Bloomsbury US published his and Gavin's book, The Ukulele Handbook.[10]

Bibliography[edit]

  • The Idler (periodical: 1993–present)
  • How To Be Idle (2005)
  • How To Be Free (2006)
  • Republished as The Freedom Manifesto (US Release, 2007)
  • The Idle Parent (2009)
  • The Book of Idle Pleasures (May 2010; co-edited with Dan Kieran)
  • Brave Old World (2011)
  • Republished as How to Live in the Country (2021)
  • The Ukulele Handbook (September 2013; co-written with Vampire Weekend)
  • Business for Bohemians (2017)
  • The Idler's Manual (2021)

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Review by Mick Brown in The Telegraph of The House Is Full of Yogis by Will Hodgkinson
  2. ^ http://www.lizhodgkinson.com/lh/biography Biography page on Liz Hodgkinson's website
  3. ^ "Tom Hodgkinson: Having successfully quit the rat race, I now find myself trying to get back into it". The Independent. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  4. ^ "The Great Escape: Tom Hodgkinson (with Neil Scott)". Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  5. ^ Tom Hodgkinson (7 February 2004). "Review: Hideous Absinthe by Jad Adams – Books – The Guardian". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  6. ^ "November 1: National Unawareness Day". The Guardian. November 2006.
  7. ^ Matthew Reisz (August 2011). "Truth, beauty... idleness". Times Higher Education.
  8. ^ https://thecreativelife.net/tom-hodgkinson/
  9. ^ "Just how bad is bad grammar?". BBC News. May 2013.
  10. ^ "Tom Hodgkinson: 'Jeremy Clarkson howled with horror and crawled under the table to escape'". The Independent. August 2013.

External links[edit]

Wikiquote has quotations related to Tom Hodgkinson.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tom_Hodgkinson&oldid=1212373199"