World-renowned American author Bill Bryson visited the Royal Society of Chemistry Burlington House offices in London today.

Invited by the RSC media office, the best-selling travel and science writer spent a couple of hours talking about the promotion of chemistry in the light of the runaway success of his book A Short History of Nearly Everything. 

Hosted by President Simon Campbell, anglophile Mr Bryson talked about how he set out to write the remarkable science book, which has been in top selling lists around the world. 

Now living in East Anglia, Bill Bryson has - with a short break in New Hampshire, USA - lived in England for more than 20 years.

He made his reputation with successes included Notes From a Small Island and A Walk in the Woods, fondly critical views of the UK and the USA.