Kingsley Amis was born in Clapham, London. He was educated at St. John's College, Oxford. His first novel, 'Lucky Jim' (1954), brought him immediate acclaim and a Hawthornden Prize. Amis wrote over 20 novels, as well as poetry, short stories, and works of literary criticism. His work often explored themes of class, conformity, and the frustrations of modern life, often with a tone of acidic humor and skepticism. He was known for his direct style and his ability to capture colloquial speech. Amis was married to the writer Elizabeth Jane Howard. He passed away in 1995 and was posthumously immortalized in Douglas Adams's novel 'Last Chance to See' as the constellation of Amis.