David Starkey

David Starkey
Carlo Faulds · Public domain · source
Name	David Starkey
Birth date	January 3, 1945
Nationality	British

David Starkey is a renowned British historian and television presenter, known for his work on the Tudor period and the English monarchy. He has written extensively on the House of Tudor, including Henry VIII, Mary I of England, and Elizabeth I of England. Starkey's work has been influenced by historians such as A.J.P. Taylor and Eric Hobsbawm, and he has been associated with institutions like the London School of Economics and the University of Cambridge. His historical perspectives have been shaped by events like the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution.

● Early Life and Education

David Starkey was born on January 3, 1945, in Kendal, Westmorland, to a family of Quakers. He was educated at Kirkby Stephen Grammar School and later attended Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, where he studied under historians like Maurice Cowling and J.H. Plumb. Starkey's academic background has been influenced by the works of Christopher Hill and E.P. Thompson, and he has been associated with the Cambridge University Historical Society. His early interests in history were shaped by events like the English Reformation and the Dissolution of the Monasteries.

● Career

Starkey's career as a historian began with his appointment as a lecturer at the London School of Economics in 1972, where he worked alongside scholars like Elie Kedourie and Karl Popper. He later became a fellow of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, and has held visiting positions at institutions like the University of Oxford and the University of California, Los Angeles. Starkey has written extensively on historical topics, including the Wars of the Roses, the Tudor period, and the Stuart period, and has been influenced by the works of historians like G.M. Trevelyan and A.L. Rowse. His research has been shaped by events like the Battle of Bosworth Field and the Execution of Charles I.

● Historical Views and Controversies

Starkey's historical views have been the subject of controversy, particularly with regards to his interpretations of the Tudor period and the English monarchy. He has been criticized by historians like Simon Schama and Niall Ferguson for his views on the English Reformation and the Dissolution of the Monasteries. Starkey has also been involved in public debates with scholars like Linda Colley and Roy Porter on topics like the British Empire and the Industrial Revolution. His historical perspectives have been shaped by events like the Glorious Revolution and the Act of Union 1707.

● Television and Media Appearances

Starkey has made numerous television appearances, including documentaries like Monarchy (TV series) and The Six Wives of Henry VIII (TV series), and has worked with broadcasters like the BBC and Channel 4. He has also presented programs like The Last Days of the Stuarts and The Churchills, and has been involved in the production of documentaries like The Real Versailles and The Real Tudors. Starkey's media appearances have been influenced by the works of historians like A.J.P. Taylor and Eric Hobsbawm, and he has been associated with institutions like the British Film Institute and the National Film Theatre.

● Personal Life

Starkey is known for his outspoken views on historical and contemporary topics, and has been involved in public debates with figures like Tony Blair and Gordon Brown on issues like the European Union and the National Health Service. He has also been a vocal critic of institutions like the European Parliament and the United Nations, and has been involved in controversies surrounding events like the Iraq War and the Financial crisis of 2007-2008. Starkey's personal life has been shaped by his interests in history, politics, and culture, and he has been associated with institutions like the Royal Historical Society and the Historical Association.