Cornwell worked in advertising following graduation. He began his career in journalism with
Reuters in 1968. Cornwell was sent to the Brussels branch office, where he met his first wife, interpreter Angela Doria. They moved to Paris, where Cornwell joined the
Financial Times as a foreign correspondent. From France, Cornwell and Doria moved to Rome, and Bonn. Cornwell was the first Moscow correspondent of
The Independent, from its launch in 1986. During this time, he won two
British Press Awards. Later in his career, Cornwell served as the Chief US Commentator at
The Independent newspaper. His book ''God's Banker'', about
Roberto Calvi, an Italian banker found hanging from
Blackfriars Bridge, was published in 1983. == Personal life ==