Dee Barber: A Career in Provocative Journalism and Literature
Dee Barber has established herself as a formidable presence in British media, known for her sharp wit, uncompromising interviewing style, and a diverse body of literary work. From her early days in editorial roles to her acclaimed memoirs, Barber's career reflects a journey through some of the most influential publications in the United Kingdom.
Professional Journey in Journalism
Barber began her career at Penthouse, where she spent seven years until 1974. During her tenure, she rose through the ranks, serving as editorial assistant, literary editor, features editor, and eventually deputy editor before leaving to raise her children.
Her return to the professional sphere saw her contributing to several high-profile outlets. Between 1982 and 1989, she worked as a feature writer for the Sunday Express magazine. In 1990, she became part of the founding team at The Independent on Sunday. Over the following decades, her work appeared in Vanity Fair, The Sunday Times, and The Daily Telegraph, and she wrote for The Observer from 1996 to 2009.
In 2009, Barber returned to The Sunday Times to contribute to its magazine.
The Art of the Interview
Barber is most recognized for her interviewing prowess. Her approach is famously rigorous; writer Will Self once quoted her as describing her method as starting from a position of disliking people and compelling them to win her over.
This fearless approach led to significant journalistic milestones. In 1990, her article for The Independent on Sunday was the first to print early rumors regarding Jimmy Savile's history as a paedophile. However, not every encounter was harmonious. Barber recalls a failed interview with conceptual artists Jake and Dinos Chapman, claiming the brothers threatened her if they ever met again. She is also noted for a 2001 piece detailing a chaotic meeting with singer Marianne Faithfull.
Literary Works and Awards
Beyond journalism, Barber has authored several books spanning various genres. Her bibliography includes two interview collections, Mostly Men and Demon Barber, a guide titled How to Improve Your Man in Bed, and a scholarly survey of Victorian popular natural history writers titled The Heyday of Natural History.
Her transition into memoir brought her widespread recognition. In June 2009, she published An Education, a memoir of her teenage love affair. The book grew from a short piece originally written for the literary magazine Granta. This original short piece served as the basis for a film adaptation by Nick Hornby, produced by BBC Films and released in October 2009. Because the full memoir was expanded after the film's development, Hornby did not use the book as source material.
In May 2014, she published A Curious Career, a memoir focusing on her professional life as an interviewer. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with six British press awards.
Other Notable Activities and Legal Challenges
Barber's influence extended into the art world in 2006 when she served as a judge for the Turner Prize (a prestigious annual prize for contemporary art). Following the event, she wrote a critical piece in The Observer regarding the judging process.
Her career has not been without controversy. In July 2011, Barber lost a legal battle against Sarah Thornton, who successfully sued her for libel and malicious falsehood. The lawsuit stemmed from a review Barber wrote of the book Seven Days in the Art World, published in The Daily Telegraph on November 1, 2008.
Key Facts
- Press Awards: Winner of six British press awards.
- Major Publications: Worked for Penthouse, Sunday Express, The Independent on Sunday, The Observer, and The Sunday Times.
- Notable Books: Author of An Education and A Curious Career.
- Journalistic First: First to print rumors about Jimmy Savile's paedophilia in 1990.
- Film Connection: Her Granta piece was adapted into the film An Education by Nick Hornby.
| Period/Year | Role or Achievement | Publication/Project |
|---|---|---|
| Until 1974 | Deputy Editor (and other roles) | Penthouse |
| 1982–1989 | Feature Writer | Sunday Express magazine |
| 1990 | Founding Writer | The Independent on Sunday |
| 1996–2009 | Contributor | The Observer |
| 2006 | Judge | Turner Prize |
| 2009 | Author | An Education (Memoir) |
| 2014 | Author | A Curious Career (Memoir) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dee Barber's most famous book?
She is widely known for her 2009 memoir An Education, which chronicles her teenage love affair and was adapted into a film.
How does Dee Barber approach her interviews?
Barber has described her method as starting from a position of disliking the subject, which compels the interviewee to try and win her over.
Did the book An Education serve as the script for the movie?
No. The film was adapted by Nick Hornby from a short piece Barber wrote for Granta. The full memoir was expanded too late to be used as source material for the film.
What legal issue did Dee Barber face?
In July 2011, she was successfully sued for libel and malicious falsehood by Sarah Thornton regarding a review of Seven Days in the Art World.
Which major journalistic scoop is Barber associated with?
She wrote the 1990 article for The Independent on Sunday that first acknowledged in print the rumors that Jimmy Savile was a paedophile.