A. A. Gill
A.A. Gill: The Renowned British Journalist and Food Critic
Full Name and Common Aliases
Alan Alexander Adair "A.A." Gill was a British journalist, food critic, and author.
Birth and Death Dates
Gill was born on December 28, 1954, in Edinburgh, Scotland. He passed away on December 10, 2016, at the age of 61 due to complications from cancer.
Nationality and Profession(s)
A.A. Gill was a British national and worked as a journalist, food critic, and author throughout his career.
Early Life and Background
Gill grew up in a military family and spent much of his childhood moving between various countries. He attended Eton College and later studied at the University of Edinburgh, where he began writing for the university's newspaper. After graduating, Gill worked as a journalist for several publications, including _The Sunday Times_.
Major Accomplishments
A.A. Gill's career was marked by numerous accolades and achievements. He won multiple awards for his work as a food critic, including several British Press Awards. In addition to his writing, Gill also hosted several television programs, including the popular culinary series _Great Britons_. His work often tackled difficult subjects with humor and wit.
Notable Works or Actions
Gill was known for his biting critiques of both food and culture. Some notable works include:
_Table Talk_: A collection of essays on food and restaurants that showcases Gill's unique voice.
_The Angry Island_: A book about modern Britain, which explores the country's complexities through a series of essays.
_A.A. Gill is Too Ugly to Kiss Goodnight_: His first book, which chronicles his experiences as a food critic.Impact and Legacy
Gill's writing had a significant impact on British culture and food criticism. He was known for pushing boundaries and challenging readers' expectations. Through his work, he influenced generations of writers and journalists.Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
A.A. Gill is widely quoted and remembered for his:
Witty and incisive writing style, which tackled complex topics with humor and intelligence.
Unflinching critiques of food, culture, and society, which often sparked debate and discussion.
Influence on British food criticism, which helped shape the way people think about and experience food.
Gill's legacy continues to be felt through his writing, which remains widely read and quoted today. His unique voice and perspective have left a lasting impact on British journalism and culture.
Quotes by A. A. Gill
London is a city of ghosts; you feel them here. Not just of people, but eras. The ghost of empire, or the blitz, the plague, the smoky ghost of the Great Fire that gave us Christopher Wren's churches and ushered in the Georgian city.
There's no pleasing the British, or winning their favor. They simply hate politicians. All politicians. Hatred goes with politicians like mint sauce with lamb. It's as old as Parliaments.
The pleasure in lovers' gifts is that they are often covert and secretive, worn next to the skin, hidden under pillows.
Really, I like the future. I appreciate my automatic alarm-call necklace in case I get lost and confused in a mall. I appreciate the watch that tells the hospital my blood pressure's gone ballistic. I like my computer, just as long as it doesn't get ideas above its workstation.
Trying to learn to be a good man is like learning to play tennis against a wall. You are only a good man - a competent, capable, interesting and lovable man - when you're doing it for, or with, other people.
Other people's traditions look charming and decorative and exotic. They're nice places to visit on holiday, but you wouldn't want to live with one.
Boredom is not a thing. It's not a feeling or a condition. It is the absence of feelings, things and conditions.
Suits are malevolent magicians' sleeves for socialists, full of patrician loops and tricks, small, embroidered, cryptic messages of deference and privilege. They are ever the uniform of the enemy. They are also the greatest British invention ever.
A lot of London's image never was. There never was a Dickensian London, or a Shakespearean London, or a swinging London.