The eldest of five children, John was born in Weybridge. He grew up near Bristol where his father was Experimental Manager and later Head of Flight Research for the Bristol Aeroplane Company. His mother Margery (née Lumsden), was an accomplished pianist with an ARCM diploma, composing children's songs, which she broadcast on the BBC Children's hour.

John went to The Wells House aged six, safe from the bombing of Bristol; later transferring to Stouts Hill. He won a scholarship to College aged twelve. Two years later Christowe’s Housemaster, Mr Boutflower, broke the news to him that our father had been killed in an aeroplane crash and our lives were turned upside down. John played a hugely supportive role for our mother as she gathered the reins and set about completing the upbringing of the family she and our father had created together. At College John was streamed into the humanities, becoming a protégé of Mike Morgan. He applied to his father’s college in Cambridge, Trinity, but chose Clare when they offered him an exhibition in January 1952.

Aged eighteen with a commission from the new sovereign, 2nd Lieutenant John Radcliffe joined the Royal Artillery in the 80th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment in command of a company of gunners based in the Suez Canal Zone. He spent his leave traveling to Jerusalem, Damascus and Petra.

John went up to Clare in September 1954 to read history under Geoffrey Elton. In the University Library he first set eyes on Bridget Cuthbert, also reading history. In the long vacation, with Bridget and two other friends, they drove to Greece. John and Bridget were married in 1959.

After a brief spell with UKAEA (UK Atomic Energy Authority) John joined the BBC as a World Service producer in 1961 based at Bush House. John’s subsequent move into schools' television and educational broadcasting would see him navigate enormous technological and cultural shifts in broadcasting. As an executive producer in Continuing Education, John oversaw a remarkable range of innovative programmes including All in the Mind, a documentary about group psychotherapy. He collaborated with Irish journalist Nuala O'Faolain on a documentary series exploring the impact of the troubles on Northern Ireland and on Irish communities in London. He produced For the Love of Albert, working with playwright Alan Plater and actors from the Ken Campbell Road Show to guide viewers through their rights to claim benefits. In the 1980s John was the principal driving force for the BBC’s exploration of the world of computing in The Computer Literacy Project. He commissioned a home computer (the BBC Micro) to teach viewers how to program. The Computer Literacy Project was a milestone in the history of computing in Britain, helping inspire a generation of programmers. 1.2 million BBC Micros were sold.

John became Head of the Open University Production Centre at Milton Keynes, overseeing the production of educational programmes; and then Head of BBC Select, the development of subscription television using decoder technology – an innovation overtaken by satellite broadcasting and the internet. When BBC Select was axed, John retired.

John’s next project was the Kipling Society website, and his contribution is best captured in this extract from the obituary written by Janet Montefiore for the Kipling Journal:

‘December 2025 was saddened for the Kipling Society by the death of John Radcliffe, creator and editor of the Society’s website, publicity officer and General Editor of the online New Reader’s Guide. The Kipling Society benefited immensely from John’s expertise, initiative and engaging personality. He taught himself HTML software and single-handedly designed and maintained the Society’s website, checking it regularly, stitching in new files, and adding new features. 

‘John headed the online New Reader’s Guide, bringing together a team of Kipling scholars to update Reginald Harbord’s 8-volume Reader’s Guide. This gargantuan work of co-operative scholarship, masterminded by John through his deep knowledge of Kipling, enthusiasm, IT skills, professional experience of team leadership, and his can-do attitude, has proved an invaluable research tool for Kipling researchers worldwide. As Chair of the Society, he initiated the 2007 conference at the University of Kent, and he was the moving spirit of the 2013 Vermont ‘Kipling in America’ conference. He supported the ‘Writing with Kipling’ project, and was present at every meeting until May 2025. His funeral, in Golders Green, conducted by his family, showed by how much he was loved and valued by so many people, young as well as old, who gathered to celebrate his life.’

With his enchanting smile, John made friends and found kindred spirits wherever he went. In later life, he never made a train journey without having a fascinating conversation with a fellow passenger. 

Bridget sadly died in 1999. John subsequently married Sheila (née Butler), whom he had met at the Open University. After Sheila died in 2016, John made a new home for himself in Linton Street, Islington. Despite worsening age-related macular degeneration, John moved his avid reading over to audio-books and kept up keenly with world events.

John was a marvellous host, who had many dear friends. At family gatherings he played the guitar and piano, and enjoyed singing folk songs. He took a keen interest in the lives and careers of his three children and their families, holidaying abroad with his grandchildren. John is survived by his children, Virginia, Jonathan and Polly, and his six grandchildren, Ruby, Iona, Sidney, Olivia, Frank and Noah.