Nicholas Crane
Areas of Interest
Alumni, Literature, MediaHonorary Award
Honorary Doctor of Science, 2012Biography
Nick Crane is a geographer, journalist, author, broadcaster and eminent Anglia Ruskin alumnus. But mostly he's a traveller and explorer. In 1992 to 93 Nick completed a 10,000 kilometre walk across Europe, from Cape Finisterre in the West to Istanbul in the East. He's also been known to ride a horse, notably a memorable trek through Afghanistan's Hindu Kush.
Nick has been able to combine his passion for travel with a remarkably successful writing career. In 1987 he published Journey to the Centre of the Earth which recounted a bicycle journey from the Bangladesh coast to the north west corner of the Gobi Desert, relying only on local hospitality along the way. Nick has authored nine books, including Coast, an accompaniment to his TV series. He is also a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph.
In 2004 Nick presented the TV series Map Man, which documented the history and development of British cartography. In 2005 he made his first appearance as the frontman of Coast, a ground-breaking series exploring the natural and social history of the UK's coastal regions. Nick is now one the most recognisable and well-loved personalities on British television.
Nick's involvement in charity work is reflected in his position as Vice President of CPRE, the campaign to protect rural England. In recent years Nick has also been a determined promoter of low-carbon travel.
Citation
"Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to read the citation for Nicholas Crane for the award of Doctor of Science, honoris causa.
Nick Crane is a geographer, journalist, author, broadcaster and eminent Anglia Ruskin alumnus. But mostly he's a traveller and explorer.
As a child, armed with a well-creased Ordnance Survey map, Nick would spend his evenings exploring the local area on his bicycle. By the age of nineteen he was venturing a little further, to Greece in fact - still on the bicycle, but this time without a map because they were too expensive. The following year he cycled to Africa.
However, Nick hasn't always travelled by bicycle as was demonstrated in 1992 to 93 when he completed a 10,000 kilometre walk across Europe, from Cape Finisterre in the West to Istanbul in the East. He's also been known to ride a horse, notably a memorable trek through Afghanistan's Hindu Kush.
With a talent for writing, Nick has been able to combine his passion for travel with a remarkably successful career. In 1985, with his cousin Richard, he published Bicycles up Kilimanjaro. Then in 1987, again with Richard, he published Journey to the Centre of the Earth which recounted their bicycle journey from the Bangladesh coast, across the Himalayas, and on to the north west corner of the Gobi Desert, the point in the world most distant from open sea. Relying only on local hospitality along the way to sustain himself and Richard, it remains a remarkable feat.
At the last count Nick has authored nine books, including Clear Waters Rising, an account of his walk across Europe in the early 90s, up to his recent releases Mercator, the man who mapped the planet, a biography of the 16th century mapmaker and Coast, an accompaniment to his TV series. Nick is also a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and Sunday Telegraph and yet it has been as a television personality that he has achieved real fame.
In 2004 Nick presented the TV series Map Man, which documented the history and development of British cartography. Then, in 2005 he made his first appearance as the front man of Coast, a ground-breaking series exploring the natural and social history of the UK's coastal regions. He has since gone on to make fascinating documentaries such as Great British Journeys, and most recently Town, in which he explores the history, character and development of four very different towns in the UK. Nick is now one the most recognisable and well-loved personalities on British television.
Nick's contribution to geography and exploration has been well recognised. He is a Fellow of The Royal Geographic Society, and has served as a member of The Royal Geographic Society Council. In 1993 he was awarded the Royal Scottish Geographical Society's Mungo Park medal for outstanding contribution to geographical knowledge through exploration. Then in 2000 he won the Polartec Adventurer of the Year Award for a lifetime devoted to bold, low-impact adventure. Nick is also a member of The Royal Society of Literature.
Nick's involvement in charity work is reflected in his position as Vice President of CPRE, the campaign to protect rural England. In recent years Nick has also been a determined promoter of low-carbon travel and it was this commitment that made filming Great British Journeys such a challenge for everyone involved. Adopting a policy of travelling by the leanest means available -which excluded the use of planes and helicopters - filming the series necessarily involved a great deal of cycling, walking and carrying heavy kit across difficult terrain. Nick has never been one to opt for the easy route.
Having graduated from Anglia Ruskin in 1975 with a BA (Hons) in Geography, Nick has returned to the Cambridge campus for many events, including delivery of the 2008 Ruskin Lecture. He is one of Anglia Ruskin University's most famous alumni and is an outstanding role model for all our students.
Vice Chancellor, it is my pleasure to present Nicholas Crane for the award of Doctor of Science, honoris causa."