James Burke

James Burke (b. 22 December 1936) is a British broadcaster, science historian, author, and television producer. He was a presenter of the BBC One science series Tomorrow's World from 1965 to 1971 and later created and presented the television series Connections (1978), The Real Thing (1980) and The Day the Universe Changed (1985).

Burke was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, where he studied Middle English, obtaining both BA and MA degrees. After graduating he moved to Italy, and became a lecturer in English and director of studies Bologna. He also lectured at the University of Urbino. It was in Italy that he read a newspaper advert looking for a correspondent for a report on the Sicilian mafia for Granada TV in the UK. In 1966, he moved to London and joined the Science and Features Department of the BBC, while still teaching English as a foreign language.

During his time as presenter of Tomorrow's World he was also BBC television's anchorman and chief reporter for the Apollo missions, and the main presenter of the BBC's coverage of the first moon landing in 1969.