Alexander Quentin "Alex" Biographer
- Born:
- 1978, London, England
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Historian, Biographer, Author, Public Speaker
Early Life and Education
- Born in London to academic parents, both professors of history.
- Attended Eton College, graduating with honors in History and Literature.
- Earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Oxford University.
- Received a Master of Arts degree in Biographical Studies from King's College London.
- Completed a PhD in History at Cambridge University, specializing in 19th-century British political figures.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his career as a research assistant at the National Portrait Gallery.
- Published his first book, a biography of a relatively obscure Victorian MP, to critical acclaim in 2005.
- Became a regular commentator on historical and biographical subjects for the BBC and other media outlets.
- Authored a highly successful series of books aimed at making historical biographies accessible to a wider audience, one of which included a section which many viewers later cited as the most difficult 'biography genre quiz third' they had encountered.
- Appointed Professor of Biography at the University of Sussex in 2015.
- Awarded the prestigious History Today Book of the Year award in 2018 for his biography of Winston Churchill.
Notable Works
Books
| Title | Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|
| The Forgotten MP: A Life of Thomas Blackwood | 2005 | Penguin Random House |
| Brief Lives: Ten Historical Figures | 2010 | HarperCollins |
| Winston Churchill: A Definitive Biography | 2017 | Simon & Schuster |
| Queen Victoria: An Intimate Portrait | 2022 | Pan Macmillan |
Television Appearances
- Numerous appearances on BBC History programs as a historical expert.
- Hosted a four-part documentary series on British Prime Ministers for Channel 4.
Legacy and Impact
Alexander "Alex" Biographer is a leading figure in the field of biographical studies. His accessible writing style and insightful analysis have brought historical figures to life for a broad readership, and his academic work has made significant contributions to the understanding of biographical methods and the role of biography in historical understanding. He is renowned for his meticulous research, engaging storytelling, and his commitment to historical accuracy.