David Purdie was born privately and educated publicly. Having spent most of his early years as a child, he went on to Ayr Academy and then Glasgow University where he read Medicine. He concluded his medical academic life in 2007 and is now an Hon. Fellow of the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities, University of Edinburgh. While devoting his time to writing, broadcasting and public speaking, he has served as chairman of the Sir Walter Scott Club and the Edinburgh Burns Club, as a patron of the JP Morgan Library, New York and of the National Galleries and Na-tional Library of Scotland. A freelance journalist, he contributes to the broadsheet press and to BBC radio on medical and scientific matters. He is a parliamentary speechwriter and editor for certain members of the House of Commons and is speech adviser to a number of major figures in the sports and entertainment fields.