The Curious Adventures of a Polymoth

AVAILABLE OCT 24 | HARDBACK | AUTOBIOGRAPHY

A polymoth devours a portfolio of passions and occupations, nibbling away at anything that appeals, not in a superficial way but not in the long term either. We are not academics pursuing perfection in many fields, nor are we butterflies, flitting aimlessly from blossom to bloom. We are polymoths.

Born in London, Julian grew up on three continents. He trained in London for a vocation as a vicar before starting a career as an international banker. He has always volunteered, with The Prince’s Trust, the homeless, as an Olympics Games Maker and distributing food during Covid, successfully nibbling at a portfolio of contrasting interests and occupations: he is a ‘polymoth’.

An exhilarating story of a man searching for somewhere to belong. His parents may have neglected him, but they never drained Julian of his zest for life. You won’t regret joining him on a journey punctuated by disaster and lifted by success, full of adventure, sometimes sad, often funny and always interesting. — SUE LAWLEY, Broadcaster and former presenter of Desert Island Discs

Julian has packed three lives into one. What a full and giving life this book describes. And sad, sometimes. That is what gives it its strength. It flies off the page. — QUENTIN LETTS, writer, journalist and theatre critic

A highly varied and interesting life which Julian writes about with honesty and self-deprecating humour. Having experienced great personal anguish, he has an approach to life which will give hope and encouragement to many. — RICHARD HARRIES, Lord Harries of Pentregarth, former Bishop of Oxford

Julian was brought up in the Middle East, Africa and Europe, educated in Britain and trained at King’s College London for a vocation as an Anglican priest before taking up a career as an international investment banker. He is a compulsive volunteer and enthusiastic dabbler, nibbling away at every type of experience.

On reaching retirement age, he and his wife have created a thriving business to serve the cultural and social needs of people in later life. They were both awarded BEMs in 2022. This memoir balances a need to belong with the typical desire of a polymoth to go everywhere and to see, taste and do everything possible.