I am a journalist and author based in London. My speciality is the use of historical analogy in science, technology and business writing. I have done various jobs at The Economist over the years, where I’m now deputy editor with special responsibility for future-gazing and developing new products. I like to play the drums, play video games and drink wine. But not all at the same time, obviously. You can contact me at tomtom@pobox.com, or find me on Twitter as @tomstandage.
Official bio
Tom Standage is Deputy Editor of The Economist and editor of its future-gazing annual, The World Ahead. He joined The Economist as science correspondent in 1998 and was subsequently appointed technology editor, business editor and digital editor. He is the author of seven history books, including “Writing on the Wall” (2013), “The Victorian Internet” (1998) and the New York Times bestsellers “A History of the World in 6 Glasses” (2005) and “An Edible History of Humanity” (2009). His most recent book, “A Brief History of Motion” (2021) was named an Editors’ Choice by the New York Times Book Review. Tom studied engineering and computer science at Oxford University and has written for other publications including the New York Times, the Guardian and Wired, taking a particular interest in technology’s social and historical impact.
“A terrific writer” — The New York Times
“An unusually astute futurist” — The Wall Street Journal
“Angular, toothsome” — The Seattle Times
“Slender, talkative” — The Boston Globe
Speaking engagements/rights enquiries
Speaking agent: Andrew Vine at The Insight Bureau: andrewvine@insightbureau.com
Literary agent: Katinka Matson at Brockman, Inc: matson@brockman.com
Portrait image (click to download)
Unofficial bio by Ella, age 6, from 2006
My daddys name is tom. he tells me storys. he likse beer coffee and rum. he has bron hair and blue eyes. he has a nose that looks funny. he is 36 years old. he is great! he has big ears. he works in the Economist. he ritse books. he isent very good at gardening. he dose smelly farts. I love him.
tomstandage.com 