When was David Starkey born and where was he born?
David Starkey was born on the 3rd of January 1945 in Kendal, Westmorland. He was the only child of Robert and Elsie Starkey, who were Quakers that had married a decade earlier in Bolton.
Common questions about David Starkey
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What academic degrees did David Starkey earn at Cambridge University?
David Starkey gained a first-class degree, a PhD, and a fellowship at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. His doctoral thesis focused on the Tudor monarch's inner household, allowing him to explore the private life of King Henry VIII.
Why did David Starkey resign from the Royal Historical Society in 2020?
David Starkey resigned from the Royal Historical Society on the 25th of September 2020 after the society's council resolved that he should be asked to resign his fellowship with immediate effect. This decision followed his controversial comments on race made during a podcast interview with Darren Grimes on the 30th of June 2020.
What political views does David Starkey hold regarding the European Union and Brexit?
David Starkey is very critical of the European Union and supported the Leave vote in the 2016 EU referendum because he argues that the United Kingdom is best off as a self-governing nation. He makes comparisons between Brexit and Henry VIII's split from Rome, believing that the Reformation sowed the seeds of Euroscepticism in England.
What happened to David Starkey's academic appointments after his 2020 podcast comments?
Following his 2020 podcast comments, Lancaster University revoked Starkey's honorary degree and Canterbury Christ Church University removed him from his role as visiting professor. Fitzwilliam College of Cambridge University accepted his resignation as an honorary fellow on the 3rd of July 2020, and HarperCollins terminated its book deal with him.