Tristram Hunt

Tristram Hunt
Name	Tristram Hunt
Birth place	Cambridge, England
Nationality	British
Occupation	Historian, politician, museum director
Known for	Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central, Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum
Party	Labour
Education	University of Cambridge, University of Chicago

Tristram Hunt is a British historian, former politician, and museum director. A prominent figure in the Labour Party (UK), he served as the Member of Parliament for Stoke-on-Trent Central from 2010 to 2017. Since 2017, he has served as the Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Early life and education

Born in Cambridge, he is the son of the historian Julian Hunt, Baron Hunt of Chesterton. He was educated at University College School in Hampstead before reading history at Trinity College, Cambridge. He later pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Chicago, focusing on Victorian history and earning a MA.

Career

Before entering politics, Hunt established himself as a historian, author, and broadcaster. He worked as a lecturer in modern British history at Queen Mary University of London and was a prolific presenter of historical documentaries for the BBC. His media work often explored themes of urban history and industrial heritage, contributing to public debates on topics like civic identity and the legacy of the British Empire.

Political career

Selected as the Labour candidate for the Stoke-on-Trent Central constituency, he was elected at the 2010 United Kingdom general election. During his tenure in the House of Commons, he served as a shadow minister under Ed Miliband, with portfolios including education. He was a vocal advocate for his constituency, often speaking on issues of deindustrialization and regional investment. He resigned his seat in 2017 following his appointment to lead the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum

Appointed Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in 2017, he succeeded Martin Roth. His tenure has focused on expanding the museum's global reach and digital presence, overseeing major projects like the development of the new V&A East museum in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. He has also championed initiatives addressing contemporary issues such as climate change and social justice through the museum's collections and exhibitions, while navigating challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Personal life

He is married to Jules, a children's author, and they have three children. The family resides in London. His interests include architectural history and football, and he is a supporter of Stoke City F.C..

Publications

He is the author of several acclaimed works of history, including *The Frock-Coated Communist: The Life and Times of Friedrich Engels* and *Ten Cities that Made an Empire*. His other publications include *Building Jerusalem: The Rise and Fall of the Victorian City* and *The English Civil War: At First Hand*. His books have been widely reviewed in publications like *The Guardian* and *The Times*.

Category:British historians Category:Labour Party (UK) MPs Category:Directors of the Victoria and Albert Museum