Clive Semmens was born in 1949 in London, and grew up in Yorkshire and Hertfordshire, England. He has degrees in Engineering and Mathematics (1st class honours). He's had a varied career in engineering, research, teaching, teacher training and lecturing, publishing and technical writing. He retired in 2007, and now spends his time writing novels, short stories, and articles on various topics, particularly environmental issues. He stood for parliament as a Green Party candidate in the 2015 UK general election.
He's been a frequent visitor to India since 1983, mainly to spend time with his wife's many relatives there - they were married there in 1984. They are widely traveled within Europe, much less so elsewhere (apart from India).
He speaks and writes French, German and Hindi to a useful but not high standard.