DAVID A. HILL was born in Walsall, UK in 1952, and after studying and working in Britain until 1977, has lived in Italy, ex-Yugoslavia, and Hungary. His main professional work is related to education, and he has written over 50 books in this field. He is also a poet with four published collections, and a translator of poetry. An experienced naturalist, Hill has studied and written articles and books on botany, ornithology and lepidoptery. His interest in all things Art Nouveau dates back to 1970, and he has travelled throughout Europe and beyond to see and photograph the art and architecture of the period, as well as writing articles and giving lectures about it. As a semi-professional blues musician, Hill has given concerts in many pubs and clubs around Budapest over the years.