John Julius Norwich is the author of various historical publications, including books and documentaries for television. He was educated at Upper Canada College, in Toronto, at Eton, At University of Strasbourg and At New College, Oxford. In 1952, he joined the Foreign Service, where he remained for twelve years, serving at embassies in Belgrade and Beirut. In 1964, he resigned, in order to write. He is a regular lecturer on Venice and various other subjects.