John Hancock's life story began in the charming city of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he first took his first breath. However, his early years were not spent in the Scottish capital, as his father, a skilled surgeon, was employed in India at the time. As a result, Hancock's childhood was marked by a unique blend of Scottish and Indian influences.
Following his time in India, Hancock returned to England to pursue his education. He attended school and university in the historic city of Durham, situated in the north of England. It was during his time at Durham University that Hancock excelled academically, graduating in 1973 with First Class Honours in Sociology.
After completing his studies, Hancock embarked on a career in quality journalism. He wrote for many of Britain's leading newspapers, including The Times, The Sunday Times, The Independent, and The Guardian. His writing career was marked by a commitment to in-depth reporting and a passion for storytelling.
In addition to his work as a journalist, Hancock held several notable positions. He served as co-editor of New Internationalist magazine from 1976-1979, a role that allowed him to shape the editorial direction of the publication. Hancock's expertise in journalism also led to him being appointed as East Africa correspondent of The Economist from 1981-1983, a position that provided him with the opportunity to report on the complexities of the African continent.
