George Claassen studied at the Universities of Pretoria (BA , B.Hons , MA) and at UNISA (PhD). From 1974 he worked as a journalist and photographer at Beeld in various positions as general, political and sports reporter.
After some time as researcher at the Institute of Language, Literature and Arts, he joined the Department of Journalism at the Tshwane University for Technology in Pretoria, where he was Head of the Department, 1989-1992.
Oktober 1993 until the end of January 2001: Professor and Head of the Department of Journalism at Stellenbosch University. In 1997 he developed and established the first university course in science and technology journalism at an African university.
As Science editor (2001-2006) at Die Burger he wrote the weekly column "Wetenskap vandag".
George Claassen is director and founder of Sceptic South Africa (SSA). In 2007 he received the National Science and Technology Forum's top SAASTA Award as South Africa's top Science Communicator.
He is married and has three children.