Biography of John Callow

John Callow is a writer, screenwriter, and historian, specialising in Seventeenth Century politics and popular culture. He is the author of 9 books including: 'The Making of James II' (2000), 'Witchcraft and Magic in Sixteenth and Seventeenth Europe' (co-author with Geoffrey Scarre 2001), 'King in Exile' (2004) and 'James II -The Triumph and the Tragedy' (2005), 'Change the World' (2010), 'The Art of Revolution' (2011), and 'GMB at Work - The story behind the Union' (2012). He has recently completed work on a new cultural history of witchcraft, 'Embracing the Darkness', published by I.B. Tauris.

John is of Manx descent and alongside his books he is the author of the article 'The Limits of Indemnity: Sovereignty and Restribution at the Trial of William Christian (Illiam Dhone)' (Seventeenth Century, vol.XV. no.2) and a forthcoming study of Illiam Dhone's work at the heart of Lord Fairfax's administration of the Isle of Man, 1652-60. He has appeared in numerous television programmes, including 'Find My Past' and the 'One Show'.

John gained a first class BA Honours degree from Lancaster University, an MA with distinction from Durham University, and holds a doctorate from Lancaster University that was funded by the British Academy.

Interview with John Callow on Illiam Dhône

Interview with John Callow on his new book ‘Embracing the Darkness - A Cultural History of Witchcraft’