Robert Ranke Graves (1895-1985) was a British poet, novelist, and critic. He is best known for the historical novel I, Claudius and the critical study of myth and poetry The White Goddess. John Julius, 2nd Viscount Norwich, was born in 1929. Among his many publications are histories of Norman Sicily, Venice and Byzantium and books on Shakespeare's history plays, opera and architecture. His annual anthology, Christmas Crackers, is now in its 35th year.