Is Peter Hitchens Related to Christopher Hitchens? Who are Peter Hitchens and Christopher Hitchens?
by Ruksana
Updated Oct 13, 2023
Is Peter Hitchens Related to Christopher Hitchens?
Yes, Peter Hitchens is related to Christopher Hitchens. They were brothers. Christopher Hitchens was a renowned journalist, author, and political commentator. While they were close in age, Peter and Christopher had different beliefs, especially when it came to religion and politics.
Peter's conservative views sharply contrasted with Christopher's atheism and leftist political stance. Despite their differences, they engaged in public debates and discussions about their beliefs.
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How is Peter Hitchens Related to Christopher Hitchens?
Peter Hitchens was the younger brother of Christopher Hitchens. The two brothers shared a complex relationship characterized by differing beliefs, particularly concerning religion and politics. Peter initially embraced socialism and was a member of the International Socialists, whereas Christopher was an outspoken atheist and a prominent figure in the atheist movement.
Their differences led to public debates and occasional conflicts, including a period of estrangement. However, they reconciled after the birth of Peter's third child and engaged in debates on topics like the invasion of Iraq and the nature of God. Despite their disagreements, they remained connected as brothers until Christopher's passing in 2011.
Who is Peter Hitchens?
Peter Jonathan Hitchens is an English conservative author, journalist, broadcaster, and commentator. He gained prominence for his conservative viewpoints, which he expresses through his writings and media appearances.
Peter's career has been marked by his critical analysis of political parties, especially the UK Conservative Party, which he believes has shifted away from true conservatism. He is also known for his strong opinions on topics such as religion, social issues, and political reforms.
Full Name
Peter Jonathan Hitchens
Date of Birth:
October 28, 1951
Place of Birth:
Malta
Nationality:
British
Occupation:
Author, Journalist, Broadcaster, Commentator
Spouse:
Eve Ross
Children:
One daughter, two sons
Religion:
Anglican (Member of the Church of England)
Notable Works:
The Abolition of Britain, The Rage Against God, The War We Never Fought, The Phoney Victory
Peter Hitchens Early Life
Peter Hitchens was born on October 28, 1951, in Malta, where his father, Eric Ernest Hitchens, served as a naval officer. Initially aspiring to follow in his father's footsteps and join the Royal Navy, Peter's dreams were dashed at the age of 10 when he was found to have a lazy eye, disqualifying him from service.
He pursued his education at various institutions, including the University of York, where he studied Philosophy and Politics, graduating in 1973. Peter's early life was marked by his family's religious background; although he was brought up in the Christian faith, he became an atheist at the age of 15, only to return to the church later in life. His complex relationship with faith influenced his later writings and beliefs.
Peter Hitchens Career
Peter Hitchens embarked on his journalistic career, initially working for local newspapers in Swindon and later at the Coventry Evening Telegraph. He then joined the Daily Express in 1977, covering education, labor affairs, and political reporting. His career took an international turn when he became a foreign correspondent, reporting from Moscow and Washington, D.C.
He covered significant events such as the decline of communist regimes in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union's collapse. In 2000, he moved to The Mail on Sunday after leaving the Daily Express. Throughout his career, Hitchens has been a prominent columnist and commentator, expressing his conservative views on various platforms.
He has also authored several books, gaining recognition for his contributions to political journalism. Despite his departure from the Conservative Party in 2003, his influence in conservative circles has remained significant, shaping public discourse on social and political issues in the UK.
Who was Christopher Hitchens?
Christopher Hitchens was a renowned British author and journalist. He became widely known as one of the most influential atheists of the 20th and 21st centuries. Hitchens wrote 18 books covering topics such as faith, culture, politics, and literature. He was educated in Britain, graduating from Oxford University in the 1970s before moving to the United States in the early 1980s.
Hitchens was a prolific writer and speaker, gaining recognition as one of the "four horsemen of New Atheism." He was an outspoken critic of religion, advocating for free expression, scientific discovery, and the separation of church and state. Hitchens's famous epistemological razor, stating that claims made without evidence can be dismissed without evidence, remains influential in philosophy and law. He passed away on December 15, 2011, at the age of 62 due to complications related to oesophageal cancer.
Name
Christopher Hitchens
Birthplace:
Portsmouth, Hampshire, UK
Birth Date
April 13, 1949
Education:
Oxford University
Notable Works:
The Missionary Position, No One Left To Lie To, The Trial of Henry Kissinger
Political Views:
Democratic socialist, anti-theist
Career Highlights:
Columnist, Author, Speaker
Notable Awards:
National Magazine Award (Columns about Cancer, 2011)
Death:
December 15, 2011, at age 62
Christopher Hitchens Early Life
Christopher Hitchens was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, as the elder of two boys. His parents, Eric Ernest Hitchens and Yvonne Jean Hitchens, met during their service in the Royal Navy. Christopher's mother was of Jewish origin, a fact he discovered later in life, leading him to identify as a Jew. He attended independent schools in Devon and Cambridge before being admitted to Balliol College, Oxford in 1967. In his youth, Hitchens was influenced by various literary works, including those of George Orwell, which shaped his political views.
During the 1960s, he became politically active, joining leftist movements and developing an interest in Trotskyism and anti-Stalinist socialism. He started his career as a journalist and gained a reputation as a left-wing writer while working for the New Statesman in the 1970s.
Christopher Hitchens Career
Hitchens began his journalistic career in the 1970s, working for publications like the New Statesman. In 1981, he moved to the United States, where he joined The Nation and later became a contributing editor of Vanity Fair in 1992. Hitchens was a vocal critic of American foreign policies, including those related to conflicts in South and Central America. He was a staunch supporter of free expression and secularism, often challenging religious beliefs. Hitchens's writings earned him recognition, and he won the National Magazine Award for Columns about Cancer in 2011.
Despite his earlier left-wing affiliations, Hitchens's political stance shifted, and he advocated for the Iraq War, drawing criticism and controversy. His critical biographies of figures like Mother Teresa and Henry Kissinger became widely debated. Throughout his career, he remained a prominent figure in journalism and public discourse until his passing in 2011.
Is Peter Hitchens Related to Christopher Hitchens - FAQs
Yes, Peter Hitchens is related to Christopher Hitchens.
Peter Hitchens was the younger brother of Christopher Hitchens.
Peter Hitchens is an English conservative author.
Christopher Hitchens was a renowned British author.
Christopher Hitchens was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire.