Christopher Hitchens, a prolific and often controversial writer, will deliver today?s Common Hour lecture. Hitchens has a lengthy resume that includes writer, journalist, literary critic, and now television personality, appearing on news talk shows.
Born in the United Kingdom, Hitchens received a degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from Balliol College, Oxford University.
Hitchens got his start as a writer in 1970s, working for the New Statesman, where he gained notoriety as a left-wing journalist. He launched his career as an international journalist covering the conflict in Cyprus. Since then, he has written as a travel journalist and reporter from more than 60 countries spanning five continents.
He has published many books, covering such diverse topics as Mother Teresa and the history of Anglo-American relations. Most recently, Hitchens garnered attention for his best-selling book ?God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything,? which is a culmination of the atheist writer?s opinions on religion. In one of the book?s criticisms of religion, Hitchens writes that ?religion has been an enormous multiplier of tribal suspicion and hatred.?
Hitchens has also gained notoriety for his political beliefs. Once a stalwart of the Left, the writer has been an outspoken supporter of the invasion of Iraq, though he does not necessarily agree with the Bush handling of the occupation. Since September 11, Hitchens has been at war with what he describes as ?Islamic fascists,? an expression that The New Yorker reports has made its way into the current administration?s lexicon.
Hitchens currently writes for Slate, The Daily Mirror?a British tabloid daily?and serves as a contributing editor to the Atlantic Monthly and Vanity Fair.
The Common Hour lecture begins at 12:30 p.m. in Pickard Theater, Memorial Hall. A book signing and reception will follow the Common Hour talk in Drake Lobby.