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Antony Jay

English writer, broadcaster, and director

Sir Antony Rupert Jay (20 April 1930 – 21 August 2016) was an English writer and broadcaster. With Jonathan Lynn, he co-wrote the British political-satirical comedies Yes Minister and Yes, Prime Minister (1980–88).2

From Wikipedia’s article on Antony Jay (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Apr 20, 1930, died Aug 21, 2016.1

About

He also wrote The Householder's Guide to Community Defence Against Bureaucratic Aggression (1972).

For his career as a broadcaster and in public relations, Jay received a knighthood in the 1988 New Year Honours. He also wrote the 1969 BBC television documentary Royal Family and a 1992 book about Elizabeth II called Elizabeth R, after which he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order for personal services to the Royal Family in the 1993 New Years Honours list.

From Wikipedia’s article on Antony Jay, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedMagdalene College3
  • Date not recordedSt Paul's School3

Jay was born in Paddington, London, the son of Catherine (née Hay) and Ernest Jay, a character actor. He was educated at St Paul's School and Magdalene College, Cambridge, graduating with first-class honours in Classics and comparative philology.

From Wikipedia’s article on Antony Jay (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Career

Occupation: journalist, screenwriter.5

After National Service in the Royal Signals, Jay joined BBC Television in 1955, and was a member of the team that launched the current affairs programme Tonight, of which he was editor from 1962 to 1963. From 1963 to 1964 he was Head of Television Talk Features, before leaving the BBC (on 8 April 1964) to pursue a career as a freelance writer and producer.

In politics he rendered political services to the Conservative Party of Margaret Thatcher, which included writing speeches for politicians including Geoffrey Howe.

He was knighted in 1988 and remained a mordant observer of politics, including those of the broadcasters themselves. He was interviewed in the BBC TV documentary series Tory! Tory! Tory! and The Trap. Jay was a partner with John Cleese in the Video Arts training film production company.

From Wikipedia’s article on Antony Jay (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornApr 20, 1930, London6
  • CitizenshipUnited Kingdom7

Jay married Jill Watkins in 1957; they had four children.

From Wikipedia’s article on Antony Jay (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • Date not recordedCommander of the Order of the British Empire8
  • Date not recordedCommander of the Royal Victorian Order8
  • Date not recordedKnight Bachelor8

Sources

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