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✨ Aries Lagna

James Clive

• Remembering (Nov 24, 2019)

★ October 7, 1939 · Sydney, New South Wales
3views
☽
Moon Sign
Cancer
Pushya
☀
Sun Sign
Virgo
Hasta
↑
Ascendant
Aries
Krittika
✦
Nakshatra
Pushya
Birth Star
Extraordinary TalentsVocational awardPublic ServicePoliticsEntertainmentWritersPoetTranslator
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: Apr 26, 2026

Clive James (born 7 October 1939, Sydney) – Public Profile

Note: The publicly known figure most closely matching the birth date and place provided is Clive James. Public records identify him as an Australian writer, essayist, critic, broadcaster and poet who later lived in the United Kingdom. The name pattern “James Clive” is not how he was commonly credited.

Overview

Clive James (7 October 1939 – 24 November 2019) was an Australian writer, essayist, literary critic, broadcaster and poet. He built a long, influential career in the United Kingdom, renowned for his wit, cultural commentary and memoir work, as well as his presence on television and in newspapers.

Birth and early life

Born in Sydney, Australia, James later moved abroad where he established a prominent literary and broadcasting career. The arc of his life includes education and early writing that laid the groundwork for his later prominence in arts and letters.

Notable works and career

James published numerous books, essays and columns. He became a familiar voice through articles in major newspapers such as The Observer, The Guardian, and The Times, and through television presenting and documentary work. He was celebrated for witty memoirs, sharp literary criticism and a distinctive, accessible style that broadened appreciation for culture and literature.

Media presence

Public media presence included television appearances and radio work in both Australia and the United Kingdom. His writing and wit earned him widespread respect in literary and broadcasting circles, and he remained a recognizable cultural figure for decades.

News and tributes

Following his passing in 2019, obituaries and tributes appeared in major outlets worldwide, noting his substantial contributions to literature, criticism, and broadcasting.

Social media and public profiles

There is no active official social media presence for Clive James. Public-facing pages or tributes may exist, but information should be verified via reputable sources.

Recent projects

As a late public figure, there are no new projects attributed to him after his passing. His legacy continues through published works, archives and retrospective programs.

Notes

Birth date and place align with public biographical records. For precise bibliographic details or archived material, consult established reference sources and library catalogs.

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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.

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

4 FOUND

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

Planetary Combinations
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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
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What do James Clive's numerology numbers say?

James Clive's core numbers are Destiny 4, Soul Urge 6, Personality 4, Karmic Debt 16.

◎Destiny
4

Chaldean Destiny 4 indicates practical building through discipline and systems. It supports operations, engineering, execution, and stable long-term progress.

❖Soul Urge
6

Chaldean Soul 6 desires love, belonging, and responsibility. It seeks harmony at home and fulfillment through care and service.

◇Personality
4

Chaldean Personality 4 appears practical, reliable, and disciplined. Others often see consistency, structure, and hard work.

⚖Karmic Debt
16

Chaldean Karmic Debt 16 indicates lessons of humility and inner truth. It asks you to release ego patterns and grow through honest self-correction.

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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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