Jarman was born at the Royal Victoria Nursing Home in Northwood, Middlesex, England.
the son of Elizabeth Evelyn (née Puttock) and Lancelot Elworthy Jarman.
His father was a Royal Air Force officer, born in New Zealand.

After a prep school education at Hordle House School, Jarman went on to board at Canford School in Dorset and from 1960 studied at King's College London.
This was followed by four years at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London (UCL), starting in 1963.
He had a studio at Butler's Wharf, London, in the 1970s.
Jarman was outspoken about homosexuality, his public fight for gay rights, and his personal struggle with AIDS.

On 22 December 1986, Jarman was diagnosed as HIV positive and discussed his condition in public.
His illness prompted him to move to Prospect Cottage, Dungeness in Kent, near the nuclear power station.
In 1994, he died of an AIDS-related illness in London, aged 52.
He was an atheist.
He is buried in the graveyard at St Clement's Church, Old Romney, Kent.
 
A blue plaque commemorating Jarman was unveiled at Butler's Wharf in London on 19 February 2019, the 25th anniversary of his death.
Jarman was born at the Royal Victoria Nursing Home in Northwood, Middlesex, England. the son of Elizabeth Evelyn (née Puttock) and Lancelot Elworthy Jarman. His father was a Royal Air Force officer, born in New Zealand. 
After a prep school education at Hordle House School, Jarman went on to board at Canford School in Dorset and from 1960 studied at King's College London. This was followed by four years at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College London (UCL), starting in 1963. He had a studio at Butler's Wharf, London, in the 1970s. Jarman was outspoken about homosexuality, his public fight for gay rights, and his personal struggle with AIDS. 
On 22 December 1986, Jarman was diagnosed as HIV positive and discussed his condition in public. His illness prompted him to move to Prospect Cottage, Dungeness in Kent, near the nuclear power station. In 1994, he died of an AIDS-related illness in London, aged 52. He was an atheist. He is buried in the graveyard at St Clement's Church, Old Romney, Kent.  
A blue plaque commemorating Jarman was unveiled at Butler's Wharf in London on 19 February 2019, the 25th anniversary of his death.
Derek Jarman