Hello, I’m Rosalind Crone, an award winning historian specialising in 19th century Britain.
You might have seen me on TV, heard me on the radio, or listened to me on podcasts sharing my historical insights.
I've consulted on several major TV and radio series, written extensively on topics such as the history of popular culture, violence, prisons, education and reading, and, since 2006, been a proud member of The Open University where I am currently Professor of History.
My expertise
British society in the ‘long’ nineteenth century (c. 1780-c. 1914)
The nineteenth century marks the start of the ‘modern’ era, characterised by change and continuity. It's a captivating period!
My research aims to debunk some of our misconceptions about the Victorians and shed light on lesser-known aspects of their everyday life. I love exploring and sharing these hidden stories.
Communicating the past and the craft of ‘doing history’
Through my distance learning materials, broadcast work and print publications, I’m well versed in communicating complex ideas and making them easy to grasp for a range of different audiences.
As a professional historian, I teach the art of ‘doing history’ by showing how we find and use evidence to uncover new insights about the past. Whether through my broadcasts, public talks, or writing, I'm always eager to pull back the curtain to show audiences how historians find and use evidence in the pursuit of new knowledge about the past.
Using the past to understand the present
I am deeply passionate about how we can use the study of the past to better understand the society we live in today. Our institutions, social practices, and attitudes often have deep historical foundations. Studying past societies encourages empathy and makes us aware of our own biases and preconceptions.
Learning that past societies did things differently gives us the courage to challenge practices in the present and to pursue a better future.
Quick facts
Author of 3 ground-breaking books on 19th-century Britain
Regular contributor to BBC History magazine
Historical consultant for a top 10 BBC Sounds podcast
Would like to live in a medieval castle
Professor of History @ The OU
Nineteenth-century historian
Academic credentials
I joined The Open University History Department in 2009, and was promoted to Professor of History in 2022. I have held a number of leadership roles, including Head of Department (2021-present) and Director of Knowledge Exchange and Impact for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (2022-24).
As a module production chair I have led teams to create rich multi-media learning experiences for students, including printed teaching text, activities and interactives for virtual learning environments, and high-quality audio-visual assets.
In 2012, on the basis of my high quality research and publications, I became an elected Fellow of the Royal Historical Society. I have been principal investigator or co-investigator on three AHRC-funded research projects.
From 2006 to 2009, I was an AHRC-funded postdoctoral fellow in the English Department at The Open University, working on the Reading Experience Database, 1450-1945.
Between 2003 and 2006, I completed an MPhil in Historical Studies and PhD in History at St John’s College, University of Cambridge. My studies were supported by a Poynton Cambridge Australia Scholarship.
I completed my BA (Hons) (1st class) at the University of Queensland in Australia where I won a number of history prizes, including the History Honours Research Prize for my dissertation on 19th-century Punch and Judy shows. I was also awarded a University Medal.
Behind the scenes
A few shots from my work and projects out and about.
With Lucy Worsley, on location for Lady Killers
In the recording studio
Beaumaris Gaol, Anglesey
Lady Killers location recording with Lucy Worsley
Filming the Beaumaris Prison treadmill
On the set of Lady Killers, series 3
With Lucy Worsley, Great British Murder, BBC4, 2013
Lady Killers recording
With Rob Rinder, for Channel 4's Britain Behind Bars
With Kate Winslet at HMP Dartmoor for Who Do You Think You Are, BBC1
On location at Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island), Queensland Australia
Follow me over at @roscrone
