Philip Hoare is a British writer, film-maker and curator. He won the 2009 Samuel Johnson Prize, now known as the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction, for his work Leviathan, or the Whale.

Early life and education

Hoare was born in Southampton. He studied at St Mary's University, Twickenham. He was born Patrick Moore. He chose the name Philip Hoare to avoid confusion with astronomer Patrick Moore: "Imagine having to spend your entire life living with people asking: 'You're not that astronomer, are you?' Or: 'Do you play the xylophone?' Another reason was that when I was managing bands I used to review my own bands for the NME and Sounds as Philip Hoare. Philip was my confirmation name; Hoare my mother's maiden name."

Career

Music

In 1982–83, Hoare ran the record label Operation Twilight, a UK-based subsidiary of the Belgian label Les Disques du Crépuscule.

2009 Samuel Johnson Prize

Hoare was the winner of the 2009 Samuel Johnson Prize, now known as the Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction, for his work Leviathan, or the Whale. The book, which describes a personal and societal fascination with whales, received praise. Jonathan Mirsky, writing for Literary Review, called the book "tremendous".

Other work

Hoare has recorded podcasts for NPR, VICE and Al Jazeera Media Network. His curatorial work includes Derek Jarman's Modern Nature, and he contributed to the Victoria and Albert Museum's international touring exhibition, David Bowie Is. Hoare has written articles on whales, including one on the orca 'attacks' off the Iberian Peninsula in 2023. He is special ambassador for Whale and Dolphin Conservation, visiting fellow at the Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, and lecturer at the Rhode Island School of Design, Providence. As a writer, Hoare has represented the British Council in Berlin, Guadalajara, and Moscow.

Works

Hoare is the author of 11 works of non-fiction: He has also edited The Sayings of Noël Coward (1997). Hoare has co-authored or contributed to the following publications: ———————