John Harrison
Author and historian John Harrison was born in Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire, in 1963, almost next door to the 15th century castle, and has now lived in Loughborough for over 13 years after living in various parts of Leicester and a rural village near Melton Mowbray for nine years.
John now has thirteen local history books published by Reprint Books after meeting publisher Dave Dover in 2001. He started writing in 1983 with a punk fanzine and poetry which became lyrics when he was briefly vocalist of a Leicester punk band.
The author's main interest today is the English civil war period with four local history books featuring the period by Reprint. His research into the alleged Leicestershire man who executed King Charles I attracted much local media interest as well as The Daily Mail and appearances on Radio Leicester. The author was a historical re-enactor with the Sealed Knot from 1996 to 2004 travelling around the country camping and re-enacting our history at Stately Homes and castles.
John's research and book published by Reprint about Bonnie Prince Charlie's alleged secret visit to Leicestershire also received much local media interest.
Three books by the author published by Reprint feature Loughborough in particular, while a fourth is planned to be published during 2009 about the Victorian Midland Railway station. John has now worked as a railworker for nineteen years after previously being a postman, archaeologist, museum worker, farmworker, market trader and landscape gardener. The author has travelled around Europe, Ireland, Greece, Turkey, India and Egypt as well as much of England, Wales, Cornwall and Scotland.
Musical tastes range from Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Killing Joke to Wagner, Enya, Mike Oldfield and Medwyn Goodall.
Some quotes from the press:
"Controversial author and historian John Harrison …." Loughborough Echo. 9.12.05.
"An amateur sleuth and historian" Leicester Mercury. 16.2.02.
"John Harrison has produced a curious little book … and like a good lawyer, builds quite a circumstantial case."
Orders of the Daye. Sealed Knot Society magazine. July 2002.
"Local investigative historian John Harrison" Ashby Times.13.6.03.
"Controversial new book, which has the rather grisly title of 'The King's Head' …." Leicester Mercury 18.7.03.
"John takes the mundane world around him and finds historical intrigue, mystery and fascination … the enthusiasm behind the book is infectious and the style chatty, which keeps the reader going." Orders of the Daye. Sealed Knot Society magazine. January 2004.
Reprint publish the following books by John Harrison.
To order a book, select 'add to basket', and then 'Checkout' to pay by Paypal or by post; or find out about other ways to buy Reprint titles.
For more details, select a book title or front cover.
'Tanky' Smith: Leicester's First Private Detective
Price: £4.50
Francis 'Tanky' Smith was Leicester's first private detective after being a member of the Borough Police Force between 1840 and 1864. He achieved much success clearing up street crime in Victorian … [more]
An Arthurian Mystery in Victorian Rutland
Price: £4.50
King Arthur? He's not history is he? He's a myth or a patriotic legend surely?
So how can I as an historian write a book about King Arthur?
Many, many pieces of a jigsaw had to be put together, … [more]
Charles I and the Relics of The King's Head
Price: £6.00
Following in the footsteps of King Charles I, the author has travelled from rural Leicestershire to Windsor Castle, Oxford, Cambridge and Leeds, amongst other places, to research the mysterious events … [more]
Did Bonnie Prince Charlie Visit Leicestershire? The Mystery of a Secret Visit
Price: £4.50
From the introduction to the book:
"According to the history books, on 6th December 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie and his Jacobite army turned back to return to Scotland after reaching as far south … [more]
Price: £4.50
Many years ago poets and bards would travel the land telling stories of myths and legends, warriors, heroes and heroines.
This book is a quest to solve poetic riddles to discover ancient and … [more]
Hidden History Wordsearch: Loughborough and Charnwood
Price: £2.00
From the introduction:
"Whether you are a resident of Charnwood or a visitor to our town and region we welcome you and hope you find this collection of local history facts and figures, myths and … [more]
Is Leicestershire Unlucky for the Monarchy? A local legend explored
Price: £4.50
The county of Leicestershire is reputed to be an unlucky county for visiting members of the monarchy, according to local legend, but when did it start? Was it after the death of Richard IIIat Bosworth … [more]
Loughborough and Charnwood: a Quizbook to discover our local history and heritage
Price: £4.50
A brain-teaser quiz book, with many photos.
The Battle of Willoughby Field 1648
Price: £4.50
The Battle of Willoughby Field took place on July 5th 1648 in Nottinghamshire, close to the Leicestershire border. Royalist soldiers from Pontefract Castle in Yorkshire were on their way south to … [more]
The Fearon Fountain of Loughborough
Price: £4.50
Henry Fearon was a Rector of All Saints Parish Church, Loughborough from 1848 until his death in 1885. He left his mark in the town with the Fearon Fountain in the Market Place, the town's first fresh … [more]
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