John Fort was born in London and educated at Eton and University College, Oxford, where he read Turkish with Arabic. He has lived in Rome for thirty-six years.

In 2001 he received the commission to update and completely recast Georgina Masson's classic guide, The Companion Guide to Rome, originally published in 1964 and in print ever since. This book came out in October 2003 to considerable acclaim, and a new version and further updated version will be coming out in the autumn of 2009. He now works showing individuals and small groups around Rome, designing on itineraries adapted specifically for each client. These may consist of seeing the city’s well-known monuments and buildings, or else wandering off the beaten track.