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“A stunning achievement and a must for history fans everywhere.”
TRACY BORMAN

Queen James

Books by Gareth Russell

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ABOUT GARETH

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Gareth Russell is a Northern Irish historian, author, and broadcaster. Educated at St Peter’s College, Oxford, and Queen’s University, Belfast, he specialises in European and royal history.

Young and Damned and Fair, his biography of Queen Catherine Howard, was based on his postgraduate research and was published to critical acclaim in 2017. His account of the Titanic disaster, The Ship of Dreams, was a Daily Telegraph Best History Book (2019). Do Let’s Have Another Drink, his affectionate biography of the late Queen Mother, was named a Book of the Year (2022) by The Times. In 2023, his bestselling The Palace: From the Tudors to the Windsors, 500 Years of History at Hampton Court was named a BBC History Book of the Year.
 

His most recent book is a biography of James VI & I. Praised as “a stellar example of how to write historical biography,” it was published in February 2025 in the UK and Ireland as Queen James (a contemporary nickname for James). It will be published in hardback in Australia and New Zealand in July 2025. It will be published in Canada and the United States in time for Christmas as The Six Loves of James I. The audio book is narrated by Gareth. 
 
He frequently contributes to documentaries and news reports in Britain and America. He provided commentary on Elizabeth II’s funeral and Charles III’s coronation for BBC Northern Ireland.

 

Russell divides his time between Belfast and London.

Bio

PRAISE FOR GARETH RUSSELL

“Gareth Russell is a born storyteller.”

DAN JONES

HISTORIAN AND BROADCASTER

“Russell is a formidable new talent from whom big things can be expected.” 

BBC HISTORY MAGAZINE

“Gareth Russell cements his place as one of the UK’s foremost popular historians.” 

ASPECTS OF HISTORY

Praise for Gareth

Upcoming Appearances

  • Hillsborough Castle: A Talk in the Throne Room
    Hillsborough Castle: A Talk in the Throne Room
    Fri 18 Jul
    The Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle
    18 Jul 2025, 17:00 – 19:00 BST
    Join Author Gareth Russell as he introduces his exciting new book, Queen James. A drinks reception and a book signing to follow in the Throne Room at Hillsborough Castle, the Royal Family's official home in Northern Ireland. This is a ticketed event.
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  • Southwark Cathedral History Festival
    Southwark Cathedral History Festival
    Sat 19 Jul
    Southwark Cathedral Library
    19 Jul 2025, 14:00 – 15:00 BST
    Join acclaimed historian, Gareth Russell, as he shares insights about his groundbreaking new book Queen James—genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter— and the man behind of the most dramatic stories in British royal history. This is a ticketed event.
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  • Harvington History Festival
    Harvington History Festival
    Fri 25 Jul
    Harvington Hall Lane
    25 Jul 2025, 11:00 – 12:00 BST
    "Queen James and a Love Affair that Killed." Historian Gareth Russell explores a remarkable true story of passion, heartbreak, and death. This is a ticketed event. Book signing available.
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  • The History Festival at Hever Castle
    The History Festival at Hever Castle
    Sun 21 Sept
    Two Sisters’ Theatre at Hever Castle
    21 Sept 2025, 15:00 – 16:00 BST
    Join Gareth Russell and Dr. Linda Porter for an engaging discussion. This is a ticketed event.
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  • The Barkway Literary Festival
    The Barkway Literary Festival
    Sat 04 Oct
    Barkway Village Hall
    04 Oct 2025, 16:00 – 17:00 BST
    Gareth Russell explores the life of James I & VI - his reign, relationships and links to Royston. With insights into the Gunpowder Plot, the King James Bible and six male lovers, this authoritative talk reveals the man behind the monarch. This is a ticketed event.
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  • Brecon Baroque Festival
    Brecon Baroque Festival
    Sat 18 Oct
    The Tithe Barn
    18 Oct 2025, 14:30 – 15:30 BST
    Join author Gareth Russell as he discusses his groundbreaking new book Queen James – genius, liar, spendthrift, idealist, witch-hunter – and the men he loved at the centre of one of the most dramatic stories in British royal history. This is a ticketed event.
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