Author and Speaker
Janie Hampton is the author of fifteen books including social history, biography, fiction and text books. She has written articles for all the major newspapers including the Independent, Guardian, Daily Telegraph, New Statesman and The Author. She has been a journalist in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Congo and Uganda, travelling by canoe, bus, river-boat and train.
As part of the Year of the Artist in 2001, Janie was the first Arts Council sponsored writer-in-residence in a pub. Sitting in the Marsh Harrier in Oxford she encouraged over 80 writers with their plays, novels, poetry and books. She has run Writing from Life courses with Rory Maclean; and Alexander Masters for The Arvon Foundation.
The London Olympics – 1908 and 1948
Janie is the leading authority on the social history of the Olympic Games in London. Her books are London Olympics: 1908 and 1948 published by Shire Books; and The Austerity Olympics – how the Games Came to London in 1948 published by Aurum.
BBC TV has based a feature length drama film on 'The Austerity Olympics' for broadcast in 2012. 'Bert & Dickie' was scripted by William Ivory and stars John Bird, Geoffrey Palmer & Matt Smith (Dr Who). Janie appears as a Supporting Artist in the crowd, cheering the British oarsmen in Henley-on-Thames.
Janie is often interviewed on radio and television talking about London and the Olympics in 1908 and 1948. Richard Ingrams, editor of The Oldie magazine appointed her 'Olympics Correspondent' in the run up to 2012.
Janie gives fascinating talks, illustrated with artefacts and songs. She has appeared at most literary festivals including Ways with Words; Women's Institutes; Girl Guides; The Oldie literary luncheon; Ashmolean Museum; Royal National Theatre; and National Portrait Gallery.
Television and Radio
Janie was programme consultant for the BBC2 television documentary about the life of Joyce Grenfell, 'Comedy with Breeding', directed by Robin Lough; and has advised on many programmes about the Olympics. Radio work has included interviews on Radio 4's 'Today', local radio; producing and presenting current affairs and features for the BBC World Service; and serials on BBC Radio 3 and Radio 4.
Latest News
Janie is the Director of the Chauncy Maples Malawi Trust, which is renovating Africa's oldest ship back into a clinic on Lake Malawi. See www.chauncymaples.org or listen to her interview on Radio 4 Excess Baggage. Over half of the £2 million needed has been raised. Can you help raise the other half?
Janie's book 'How the Girl Guides Won the War' is published in paperback by Harper Press. Many former Brownies and Guides contributed their fascinating stories, diaries and log books. See the Reviews page.
In July 2010, Janie's mother Verily Anderson died aged 95, the day after finishing her latest book. See Janie's obituary in The Independent.