Professor of Modern History at Queen Mary College, London, born on 12 November 1947 in Sheffield. He was educated at King Edward VII School, Sheffield and Corpus Christi College, Oxford, where he gained a first in Modern History. From 1972 until his retirement in 2008 he taught at Queen Mary College and was head of History 1988-1990 and 1998-2000. His doctorate in 1974 was on Conservative organisation between 1910 and 1930 and launched him on a distinguished career as a historian of the Conservative Party. His numerous publications included three of the six volumes of Longman's History of the party and a one volume history, Appetite for Power (1998). He was an associate editor of the Oxford DNB and his wide-ranging interests included drama and devoted support for Sheffield United football club.

The Methodism he inherited from his parents moulded his personality and supported him in his final battle with cancer. He died on 16 October 2009.

Category: Person
Comment on this entry