Damian Barr is an award-winning writer, broadcaster and journalist. Damian holds a PhD in Creative Writing from Lancaster University and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
His world-famous Literary Salon ran from 2008 to 2023, celebrating writers from around the world and widening the cultural conversation. He is a trustee of Gladstone’s Library and a campaigner for libraries. He lives in Brighton.
His memoir Maggie & Me, won Stonewall Writer of the Year and Sunday Times Memoir of the Year. His debut novel, You Will Be Safe Here, was shortlisted for six major awards and named a Book of the Year in the Observer, Guardian and Mail. He has written columns for The Times and Sunday Times and hosted Front Row on BBC Radio 4 as well as his own series Guide Books. In 2019, Damian brought books back to television with the Big Scottish Book Club, now in its sixth series and syndicated internationally. Also on BBC TV, he presented Shelf Isolation and the landmark documentary for Sir Walter Scott’s 250th.
Stunningly reimagined, The Two Roberts is a profoundly moving story of devotion and obsession, art and class. It is a love letter to MacBryde and Colquhoun, the almost-forgotten artists who tried to change the way the world sees – and paid a devastating price.
“Vivid and alive. A truly great story penned by one of Scotland’s finest writers” Jenni Fagan
“A full-blown treat, historical fiction that brings to life unjustly neglected figures of queer art.” Patrick Gale
“Epic and touching.” David Nicholls
“Extraordinary. Barr is a gifted storyteller and a miraculous scene painter. The Two Roberts feels fresh and nuanced and entirely new.” Curtis Garner
“A love story that grips and refuses to let go. Astonishingly deft.” Jon Courtenay Grimwood
A novelisation of the true story of working class artists, Robert Colquhoun and Bobby MacBryde, who met on their first day at Glasgow School of Art in 1933, and stayed together for the rest of their lives.
A literary, queer love story for readers of Douglas Stuart, Alice Winn and Alan Hollinghurst.
Beautifully researched, every artwork mentioned in the book references a real piece. Damian is curating an exhibition of The Two Roberts’ work at Charleston in Sussex, which will open in Autumn 2025.