# Jimmy Savile

> English DJ, media personality and sexual abuser (1926–2011)

**Wikidata**: [Q713479](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q713479)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Savile)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jimmy-savile

## Summary

Jimmy Savile (1926–2011) was an English DJ, media personality, television presenter, and radio personality who became one of Britain's most prominent celebrity figures through his work on Top of the Pops and various other television programs. He was knighted and received the Order of the British Empire for his contributions to entertainment, while also being a member of Mensa International and the Athenaeum Club. Posthumously, Savile was revealed to be one of Britain's most prolific sexual abusers, with hundreds of victims coming forward after his death.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1926
- **Died:** 2011
- **Nationality:** English / United Kingdom
- **Full Name:** Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile
- **Known for:** Long-running career as a DJ and television presenter, most notably on Top of the Pops
- **Field(s):** Entertainment, music broadcasting, television presenting, radio broadcasting

### Occupations

- Disc jockey
- Television presenter
- Radio personality
- Autobiographer
- Association football player
- Professional wrestler

### Awards and Recognition

- Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Knight Bachelor (title "Sir")

### Memberships and Affiliations

- Mensa International (high IQ society, founded 1946)
- Athenaeum Club (prestigious London club, founded 1824)

## Contributions

Jimmy Savile's contributions to British entertainment spanned several decades and multiple media platforms:

- **Top of the Pops:** Served as a presenter on this iconic British music chart television series, which was one of the longest-running and most influential music television programs in the UK
- **Radio Broadcasting:** Maintained a significant presence in radio as a radio personality
- **Television Presenting:** Hosted numerous television programs throughout his career, becoming a household name in British media
- **Autobiography:** Wrote his autobiography as an autobiographer
- **Sports Participation:** Played association football (soccer) and participated in professional wrestling

## FAQs

**What was Jimmy Savile famous for?**
Jimmy Savile was famous for being a long-serving presenter on Top of the Pops, the BBC's iconic music chart television series, as well as numerous other television and radio programs spanning several decades.

**Was Jimmy Savile knighted?**
Yes, Jimmy Savile was knighted and held the title "Sir." He was also appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

**Was Jimmy Savile a member of Mensa?**
Yes, Jimmy Savile was a member of Mensa International, the high IQ society founded in 1946.

**What clubs was Jimmy Savile a member of?**
Jimmy Savile was a member of the Athenaeum Club in London, a prestigious members' club and Grade I listed building founded in 1824.

**What was Jimmy Savile's full name?**
Jimmy Savile's full name was Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile.

**What other professions did Jimmy Savile have besides broadcasting?**
Beyond his broadcasting career, Jimmy Savile was also an association football player, a professional wrestler, and an autobiographer.

## Why They Matter

Jimmy Savile matters in British cultural history for several contradictory reasons. During his lifetime, he was one of the most recognizable and beloved figures in British entertainment, known for his distinctive personality, charitable work, and long-running presence on television and radio. His work on Top of the Pops made him an integral part of British pop music culture for generations of viewers.

His knighthood and OBE recognized his contributions to entertainment and charity work. His membership in Mensa International and the Athenaeum Club reflected his status among Britain's elite social and intellectual circles.

However, posthumously, Savile's legacy was fundamentally transformed when investigations revealed he was one of Britain's most prolific sexual abusers, with over 600 victims coming forward. This revelation had profound implications for British institutions, particularly the BBC, which faced criticism for failing to investigate numerous complaints during his lifetime. The Savile scandal led to major changes in how allegations of abuse are handled by media organizations and authorities in the UK.

## Notable For

- Longest-running presenter on Top of the Pops
- One of the first celebrity DJs in Britain
- Knighted by the British monarchy
- Officer of the Order of the British Empire
- Member of Mensa International (high IQ society)
- Member of the Athenaeum Club
- Known for distinctive personality and charitable work
- Post-humously revealed as a prolific sexual abuser with over 600 documented victims

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Jimmy Savile was born in England in 1926. As an English national, his life unfolded within the context of mid-to-late 20th century British society. The source material indicates he was born in 1926 and died in 2011, though specific birthplace details are not provided in the available data.

### Entertainment Career

Savile built his career across multiple entertainment platforms, establishing himself as one of Britain's most recognizable media personalities. His primary profession was as a disc jockey, playing recorded music for audiences. He expanded into television presenting, introducing and hosting numerous television programs throughout his career. His radio personality work complemented his television presence, making him a familiar voice and face in British households for decades.

His most notable contribution was his work on Top of the Pops, the British music chart television series that aired from 1964 to 2006. As a presenter on this program, Savile became synonymous with British pop music broadcasting, influencing generations of viewers and contributing to the show's cultural significance.

### Sports and Athletic Pursuits

Beyond his entertainment career, Savile maintained involvement in sports. He played association football (soccer) as an association football player. Additionally, he participated in professional wrestling as a professional wrestler, adding another dimension to his multifaceted public persona.

### Literary Work

Savile also worked as an autobiographer, writing his own autobiography. This contribution reflects his willingness to share his life story directly with the public, a common trait among long-standing public figures.

### Awards and Honors

Savile received significant recognition for his contributions to British life. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), a prestigious award recognizing contributions to the arts, sciences, charity, and public service. He was subsequently knighted, receiving the title of Knight Bachelor—a title granted to men who have been knighted by the British monarch but not as members of organized orders of chivalry. This honor entitled him to use the prefix "Sir" before his name.

### Social and Club Memberships

His status as a prominent figure was further cemented by his memberships in exclusive organizations. He was accepted into Mensa International, the high IQ society founded in 1946, demonstrating intellectual capabilities that placed him among the top percentile of intelligence. He was also a member of the Athenaeum Club, a prestigious members' club and Grade I listed building in London founded in 1824, which serves as a gathering place for distinguished individuals from various fields.

### Legacy and Posthumous Revelation

The source material notes that Jimmy Savile was described as a "sexual abuser" in his biographical details—a designation that fundamentally altered public understanding of his life after his death in 2011. Investigations revealed extensive abuse spanning decades, with over 600 victims coming forward. This revelation had far-reaching consequences for British institutions, particularly the BBC, which faced scrutiny over its failure to act on complaints and allegations during Savile's lifetime.

This aspect of his legacy demonstrates the importance of posthumous investigation and the complex nature of assessing historical figures whose true actions may only come to light after their deaths.

### Summary of Connected Entities

As documented in the source material, Jimmy Savile was connected to numerous entities:

- **Top of the Pops** — the British music chart television series he was most associated with
- **Mensa International** — the high IQ society he belonged to
- **Athenaeum Club** — the prestigious London club he was a member of
- **United Kingdom** — his country of nationality
- **Officer of the Order of the British Empire** — the award he received
- **Knight Bachelor** — the title bestowed upon him

His career touched upon entertainment, broadcasting, sports, literature, and elite social circles, making him a uniquely complex figure in British cultural history whose true legacy continues to be reassessed in light of posthumous revelations.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/i-beat-jimmy-savile-black-6265408)
3. [Jimmy Savile: Catholic Church bid to remove papal knighthood. 2012](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20108980)
4. [The Gazette. 1971](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/45554/supplement/12)
5. [The Gazette. 1990](https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/52173/page/2)
6. [Jimmy Savile was no Knight of Malta. 2013](https://timesofmalta.com/article/Jimmy-Savile-was-no-Knight-of-Malta.453376)
7. Virtual International Authority File
8. CiNii Research
9. MusicBrainz
10. IMDb
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Find a Grave
14. Discogs
15. [Source](http://news.sky.com/home/uk-news/article/16099015)
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. BBC Things
18. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
19. The Movie Database