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Aries Lagna

James Clive

Remembering (Nov 24, 2019)

October 7, 1939 · Sydney, New South Wales
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Moon Sign
Cancer
Pushya
Sun Sign
Virgo
Hasta
Ascendant
Aries
Krittika
Nakshatra
Pushya
Birth Star
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Biography

Who is James Clive?

Australian author, critic, broadcaster, poet, translator and memoirist, best known for his autobiographical series Unreliable Memoirs, for his chat shows and documentaries on British television and for his prolific journalism. He lived and worked in the United Kingdom from 1961 until his death. James was famous for his dry and cheeky wit. He described actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, in his bodybuilding days, as looking like "a brown condom full of walnuts". He described the romantic novelist Barbara Cartland as having "Twin miracles of mascara, her eyes looked like the corpses of two small crows that had crashed into the white cliffs of Dover." Another of his famous remarks was "Whoever called snooker chess with balls was rude but right." In 1968, at Cambridge, James married Prudence A. "Prue" Shaw, an emeritus reader in Italian studies at University College London and the author of Reading Dante: From Here to Eternity. James and Shaw had two daughters. Following news reports in April 2012 that model Leanne Edelsten admitted to an eight-year affair with James beginning in 2004, Shaw threw her husband out of the family home. For much of his early life, James was a heavy drinker and smoker. In April 2011, after media speculation that he had suffered kidney failure, James confirmed that he was suffering from B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia and had been in treatment for 15 months at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge. He later said that he was also diagnosed with emphysema and kidney failure in early 2010. Until June 2017, he wrote a weekly column for The Guardian entitled "Reports of My Death...". Clive James died on 24 November 2019 at age 90 in Cambridge, England. Link to Wikipedia biography
Latest Info

Latest Updates

Update at: May 3, 2026

Clive James Public Profile

Public figure commonly known as Clive James. Born Clive James on 7 October 1939 in Sydney, Australia. Notable as a writer, critic, essayist, and broadcaster. This profile summarizes verifiable public information up to his passing in 2019.

Birth, Family & Background

  • Birth date: 7 October 1939
  • Birth place: Sydney, Australia
  • Nationality: Australian (later based in the United Kingdom)

Career Overview

Clive James was a prolific writer known for memoirs, satirical essays, cultural criticism, and witty prose. He contributed to newspapers and magazines, taught and lectured internationally, and hosted television and radio programs in both the UK and Australia. His work is celebrated for its humor, clarity, and observational insight into literature, media, and society.

Notable Works & Themes

  • Memoirs and autobiographical writing blending humor with social commentary
  • Essays on literature, film, television, and culture
  • Travel writing and reflections on modern life

News, Public Activity & Recent Projects

There has been no active public work attributed to Clive James after his passing in 2019. Obituaries and retrospective pieces appeared in major outlets around that time and in subsequent years, reflecting on his career and influence. No new projects from him have been released since then.

Public Social Media Presence

There are no verified official social media accounts for Clive James. Any current pages or accounts are not official representations and may be maintained by fans or institutions for commemorative purposes.

Legacy, Tributes & Posthumous Material

Posthumous tributes, reissues, and archived collections of his writings have appeared over the years. Publishers and rights holders have continued to make selections of his essays and memoirs available to readers, preserving his voice for new audiences.

Where to Find Reliable Information

For verifiable details, consult reputable reference sources and major outlets’ obituaries or retrospective pieces from 2019 onward. Encyclopedic entries and library catalogs also provide cataloged works and biographical information.

Vedic Planet Analysis

Astrologer Reviewed

James Clive's planet-by-planet horoscope reading. Select a planet below to read its detailed Vedic interpretation.

Ascendant1st

Ascendant Represents AS

The Ascendant (Lagna) in Vedic astrology represents the self, physical body, personality, and how we interact with the world. It defines our core identity, health, and the first impression we make on others. The sign rising on the eastern horizon at the moment of birth becomes the Ascendant, influencing our temperament and approach to life. Its ruler significantly shapes how we express ourselves and respond to our environment.
◈ Astrologer Reviewed

James Clive birth chart analysis for Ascendant

In Vedic astrology, when the natal lagna (ascendant) is in the Aries sign, it imbues the individual with a dynamic, energetic, and assertive personality. Aries, ruled by Mars, signifies a pioneering spirit, leadership qualities, and a strong desire to initiate and take action. Those with Aries as their ascendant are often seen as ambitious, courageous, and competitive, with a tendency to be impulsive and straightforward. The placement of the ascendant in Krittika nakshatra, which spans the final degrees of Aries and the early degrees of Taurus, adds additional layers to the personality. Krittika is ruled by the Sun, symbolizing clarity, sharpness, and a cutting-edge nature. This nakshatra is associated with strong willpower, determination, and the ability to overcome obstacles. Individuals with Krittika nakshatra can be incisive and discerning, often possessing a fiery and passionate disposition. When Mars, the ruler of the Aries ascendant, is placed in the 10th house in Capricorn, it is considered to be exalted, thereby amplifying its positive attributes. The 10th house is associated with career, reputation, and public standing, and an exalted Mars here suggests a strong drive for achievement and success in professional life. Capricorn's influence brings discipline, practicality, and a methodical approach to career pursuits. This placement often indicates leadership abilities, a strong work ethic, and the potential for significant accomplishments in one's chosen field. Furthermore, Mars in Sravana nakshatra, which is ruled by the Moon, can enhance one's ability to communicate effectively and listen to others. Sravana is associated with learning, knowledge, and understanding, suggesting that the individual may have a strategic mindset and be adept at gathering and processing information. This combination can result in a well-rounded individual who is ambitious yet considerate, capable of balancing personal drive with an awareness of others' needs and perspectives. Overall, this astrological configuration suggests a highly driven and ambitious individual with the potential for success in leadership roles, characterized by a blend of energy, determination, and strategic thinking.

Which Raj Yogas are in James Clive's birth chart?

4 FOUND

James Clive's chart shows 4 Raj Yogas, including Ruchaka Yoga, Chandra-Mangala Yoga, Rajju Yoga.

Planetary Combinations

Which dasha periods did James Clive live through?

VIMSHOTTARI

Vimshottari dasha periods recorded for James Clive, in order.

PREVIOUSApr 16, 2026 - Aug 26, 2026
Rahu / Jupiter / Rahu

What do James Clive's numerology numbers say?

James Clive's core numbers are Life Path 3, Destiny 5, Soul Urge 3, Personality 2, Kabbalah Number 9, Birth 7.

Life Path
3

Chaldean Life Path 3 is expressive and creative. It indicates talent in communication, learning, and uplifting others through ideas, art, or speech.

Destiny
5

Chaldean Destiny 5 indicates dynamic progress through change and versatility. It supports travel, sales, communication roles, and fast adaptation.

Soul Urge
3

Chaldean Soul 3 desires joy and expression. It seeks creativity, appreciation, and the freedom to share ideas and feelings.

Personality
2

Chaldean Personality 2 appears gentle, diplomatic, and cooperative. Others often see empathy, tact, and calm support.

Kabbalah Number
9

Kabbalah Number 9 reflects an inner spiritual code of compassion and completion. It supports service, forgiveness, and closing karmic cycles.

Birth
7

Explore Birth Number 7 in Vedic astrology: discover personality traits, destiny, career inclinations, relationships, and remedies to balance karmic energy.

Life Events & Planetary Transits

Key events mapped against the active Dasha and planetary transits at the time.

1968
Relationship
Marriage 1968 (Prudence A. "Prue" Shaw)
1980
Career
Published/ Exhibited/ Released 1980 (Autobiography, "Unreliable Memoirs")
2019
Death
Death, Cause unspecified 24 November 2019 (Age 80)
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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this profile's Vedic astrology, birth chart, and numerology — answered by our astrologers.

What does being a Libra reveal about James Clive's character and creative output?

James Clive, born on 7 October 1939, carries the Sun in Libra, the sign of balance, wit, and aesthetic refinement. Libra's ruling planet Venus gifted him a natural flair for language, charm, and cultural commentary. This air sign's love of ideas and communication aligns perfectly with his celebrated career as a writer, broadcaster, and satirist, making him someone who could engage audiences with both elegance and sharp intellectual humour.

How do the planets in James Clive's birth chart shed light on his marriage and romantic relationships?

James Clive married Prudence Shaw in 1968, and his chart reflects complex relational energies. His Aries ascendant brings impulsiveness in personal matters, while Venus-ruled Libra Sun seeks partnership yet can struggle with fidelity. Personality data associated with his chart notes extramarital affairs, suggesting Venus's charm played out in complicated ways. Astrology points to a man who deeply valued connection but whose restless nature created tensions within committed bonds.

Where and on what date was James Clive born, and how does that shape his astrological profile?

James Clive was born on 7 October 1939 in Sydney, Australia. This birth date places his Sun in Libra under Western tropical astrology and his Sun in Virgo under the Vedic sidereal system. Sydney's Southern Hemisphere energy, combined with a Libra Sun and Aries ascendant, shaped a personality that was outwardly bold and adventurous yet inwardly analytical and detail-oriented, qualities that defined his literary and broadcasting achievements.

Which astrological strengths most define James Clive's extraordinary talents as a writer and entertainer?

James Clive's Aries ascendant gave him a pioneering, fearless public presence, while his Libra Sun bestowed wit and eloquence. The Vedic Virgo Sun sharpened his analytical mind and love of precise, crafted language, evident in works like his 1980 autobiography Unreliable Memoirs. His Life Path number 3 amplifies creative self-expression. Together these influences describe someone with extraordinary communicative talent, a trait explicitly noted in his profile alongside a vocational award for his contributions.

In Vedic astrology, which rashi does James Clive belong to, and what does it say about his emotional world?

James Clive's Janma Rashi, or Vedic moon sign, is Cancer, ruled by the Moon itself. Cancer rashi individuals are deeply emotional, nostalgic, and strongly tied to their roots and memories, which resonates with his autobiographical writing style and his lifelong reflection on childhood experiences. The Moon in Cancer also points to sensitivity beneath a witty exterior, and can indicate health vulnerabilities, consistent with the health challenges noted throughout his life.

Does James Clive's Life Path number in numerology explain the creative success he achieved throughout his career?

James Clive carries a Life Path number 3, the numerology signature of creative expression, humour, and communication. Number 3 individuals are natural storytellers who thrive in writing, performance, and entertainment, all domains where Clive excelled. This vibration brings charm, versatility, and a gift for connecting with wide audiences. It also carries a tendency toward scattered energies and indulgence, which mirrors the complexities noted in his personal life alongside his remarkable public achievements.

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