Tom Sharpe was born on March 30, 1928, in England. He grew up in a family with strong religious beliefs as his father, Rev George Coverdale Sharpe, was a Unitarian minister. Despite his father's profession, Sharpe was more drawn to the arts and literature from a young age.
Sharpe attended Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied history. After graduating, he decided to broaden his horizons and moved to South Africa, where he lived for a decade. It was during this time that his passion for writing began to flourish.
Upon returning to England, Sharpe worked as a history lecturer at the Cambridge College of Arts and Technology. It was during his time in academia that he started to dabble in writing, penning comedic novels that would later become his claim to fame.
Tom Sharpe's writing career took off with the publication of his first novel, Riotous Assembly, in 1971. This satirical take on the South African police force set the tone for Sharpe's signature style – dark humor mixed with social commentary.
He went on to write several successful novels, including the Wilt series, Porterhouse Blue, and Blott on the Landscape. His books were well-received for their sharp wit and incisive critique of societal norms.
One of Sharpe's most famous works, Wilt, was adapted into a film in 1989, starring the talented Mel Smith. The success of the film further solidified Sharpe's reputation as a master of comedic writing.
Despite his success as a writer, Sharpe remained a private individual. He was known for his sharp wit and dry sense of humor, which often made its way into his novels.
Tom Sharpe passed away on June 6, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and literary brilliance. His works continue to be celebrated for their timeless humor and keen observations of human nature.