David Starkey, CBE (born 3 January 1945) is an English historian, radio and television presenter, with views that he describes as conservative.
David Robert Starkey was born in Kendal, Westmorland, England, to Quaker parents. He attended Kendal Grammar School before reading history at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, on a scholarship. There he specialized in Tudor history, writing a thesis on King Henry VIII’s household. From Cambridge, he moved to the London School of Economics, where he was a lecturer in history until 1998.
Starkey first appeared on television in 1977. He has since presented numerous documentaries on historical subjects, including the BBC series The Six Wives of Henry VIII (2001), Elizabeth (2003), and Monarchy (2007). He has also been a regular contributor to radio and television debate programmes, such as The Moral Maze and Question Time.
Starkey is a controversial figure, and his views have often been criticized. For example, he has been accused of being elitist, sexist, and racist. In 2020, he was dropped by his publisher and university after making racist remarks during a podcast interview.
Despite the controversy, Starkey remains one of the most popular and influential historians in Britain. He is a gifted communicator, and his work has helped to bring history to a wider audience.
Here are some of his notable books:
- Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII (2003)
- Elizabeth: The Age of a Queen (2000)
- Monarchy (2004)
- Henry: Virtuous Prince (2008)
- Crown and Country (2010)
- Magna Carta: The Biography (2013)
- Charles I: King and Martyr (2015)
- Elizabeth: Another Look (2019)
David Robert Starkey and his family
David Starkey was born to Quaker parents, Robert Starkey and Elsie Lyon, who had married ten years previously in Bolton, at a Friends meeting house. His father, the son of a cotton spinner, was a foreman in a washing-machine factory, while his mother followed in her father’s footsteps and became a cotton weaver and later a cleaner. They were both born in Oldham and moved to Kendal in the 1930s during the Great Depression.
Starkey has spoken openly about his childhood, revealing that he was born with two club feet and polio. He spent much of his early years in and out of hospital, undergoing multiple operations. Despite these challenges, Starkey describes his parents as loving and supportive. He has also credited his Quaker upbringing with shaping his values and his commitment to social justice.
Starkey never married, but he was in a long-term relationship with James Brown, a publisher and book designer. Brown passed away in 2015. The couple had three homes: a house in Highbury, a manor house in Kent, and another in Chestertown, Maryland, US. Starkey previously lived at John Spencer Square in Canonbury, Islington.
Starkey has described himself as an atheist, and he has been a vocal critic of religion. He has also spoken about his experiences as a gay man, and he has been a strong advocate for LGBTQ+ rights.
Despite his controversial views, Starkey remains a popular and respected figure in British public life. He is a gifted communicator and a passionate advocate for history.
Achievements and Awards
Starkey has been a controversial figure throughout his career. He has been criticized for his views on a variety of subjects, including his elitism, his sexism, and his racism. In 2020, he was dropped by his publisher and university after making racist remarks during a podcast interview.
Despite the controversy, Starkey remains one of the most popular and influential historians in Britain. He is a gifted communicator, and his work has helped to bring history to a wider audience.
Here are some of his notable achievements:
- 1984: Elected a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society
- 1994: Elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London
- 2006: Made an Honorary Fellow by Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- 2007: Awarded the CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) for services to history
- 2012: Awarded the History Book of the Year prize for his book Henry: Virtuous Prince
- 2015: Awarded the Wolfson History Prize for his book Charles I: King and Martyr
Starkey is a complex and controversial figure, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most significant British historians of our time. His work has helped to shape our understanding of the past, and he continues to be a leading voice in public debate.
Controversies of David Starkey
David Starkey is an English historian, radio and television presenter, author, and public intellectual who has been involved in a number of controversies throughout his career. He has been criticized for his views on a variety of subjects, including his elitism, his sexism, and his racism.
In 2011, Starkey was widely criticized for claiming that “whites have become black” during a Newsnight discussion about riots in the UK. He later apologized for his remarks, but the incident damaged his reputation and led to calls for him to be sacked from his BBC presenting role.
In 2020, Starkey was dropped by his publisher and university after making racist remarks during a podcast interview. He claimed that slavery was not genocide because of the survival of “so many damn blacks”. His comments were widely condemned, and he was forced to resign from his honorary fellowship at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge.
In 2023, Starkey sparked further controversy when he claimed that “the determination is to replace the Holocaust with slavery” and “this is why Jews are under such attack from the left”, because “there is jealousy of the moral primacy of the Holocaust and a determination to replace it with slavery”. His comments were condemned by the Jewish Leadership Council, which called them “offensive and insensitive”.
Starkey has defended his right to free speech on a number of occasions, but he has also acknowledged that his views have sometimes caused offense. He has said that he is not a racist, but he has admitted that he can be “blunt and outspoken” in his language.
Whether or not Starkey’s views are considered controversial, there is no doubt that he is a significant figure in British public life. He is a gifted communicator, and his work has helped to bring history to a wider audience. However, his controversial remarks have also made him a polarizing figure, and he is likely to continue to be a source of debate for many years to come.
David Starkey’s networth and properties
According to reports, David Starkey had a net worth of around £25 million in 2023. This is based on his earnings from his various career sources, including television appearances, book sales, and speaking engagements.
Starkey’s earnings from television appearances have been significant. He was a regular on the BBC’s The Moral Maze from 1988 to 2004, and he has also presented numerous documentaries on historical subjects. His 2001 series The Six Wives of Henry VIII was a ratings success, and it is estimated that he earned around £1 million for presenting the series.
Starkey’s earnings from book sales have also been substantial. He has written over 20 books on historical subjects, and many of these books have been bestsellers. His book Henry: Virtuous Prince (2008) reached number one in the Sunday Times bestseller list, and it is estimated that he earned around £2 million in royalties from the book.
Starkey’s earnings from speaking engagements have also been significant. He is a popular speaker at conferences and events, and he often charges high fees for his appearances. It is estimated that he earns around £50,000 for a speaking engagement.
In total, David Starkey’s net worth is estimated to be around £25 million. This is a substantial sum, and it reflects his success in his various career endeavors.
Here are some of the sources of Starkey’s wealth:
- Television appearances: £1 million per series
- Book sales: £2 million per book
- Speaking engagements: £50,000 per engagement
These sources of income have enabled Starkey to build a substantial personal fortune. He owns several properties, including a house in Highbury, a manor house in Kent, and another in Chestertown, Maryland, US. He also has a number of investments, including shares in various companies and property holdings.
Starkey’s wealth has allowed him to live a comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. He has access to the finest goods and services, and he can afford to travel extensively. He is also a generous philanthropist, and he has donated significant sums of money to various charitable causes.
Most popular show of David Starkey
Based on historical records and viewer ratings, David Starkey’s most popular historical television show is The Six Wives of Henry VIII. The six-part BBC documentary series, which aired in 2001, explored the lives of Henry VIII’s six wives: Catherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Catherine Howard, and Catherine Parr. The series was praised for its historical accuracy, its engaging presentation, and its memorable cast of characters.
Starkey’s portrayal of Henry VIII was particularly praised. He captured the king’s complex personality, his charm, his cruelty, and his insecurity. Starkey was also praised for his ability to bring the Tudor period to life. He used a variety of sources, including historical documents, portraits, and archaeological evidence, to create a vivid and realistic picture of the past.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII was a critical and commercial success. It won numerous awards, including the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary Series and the Peabody Award. It was also a ratings hit, with an average audience of over 8 million viewers.
The series’ popularity has endured in the years since it first aired. It remains one of the most popular historical documentaries ever made, and it is frequently repeated on television and released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Here are some of the reasons why The Six Wives of Henry VIII is considered Starkey’s most popular show:
- Historical accuracy: The series was praised for its accurate portrayal of the Tudor period and the lives of Henry VIII’s wives.
- Engaging presentation: Starkey’s charismatic and passionate presentation made the series enjoyable to watch.
- Memorable characters: The series featured a cast of memorable characters, including Henry VIII, his wives, and his advisors.
- Critical and commercial success: The series won numerous awards and was a ratings hit.
- Enduring popularity: The series has remained popular in the years since it first aired.
David Starkey was a popular historian, television presenter, and author in the United Kingdom. He was known for his outspoken views and his ability to communicate history to a wide audience. You can also find interesting facts about Jennifer Garner’s Daughter.
