Long portrayed by historians and writers across the centuries as one of England’s most disastrous of kings, Andrew Roberts’ new meticulously researched biography presents quite another view. Here is a monarch of intelligence, benevolence, devoted to his country and his family, a great patron of the arts and science who helped steer the country through domestic political and global storms.

Professor Andrew Roberts is one of Britain’s best-selling historians and his multi-award-winning works include studies of Churchill, Napoleon, and former Prime Minister the 3rd Marquess of Salisbury. Following the publication in 2007 of A History of the English Speaking Peoples Since 1900, he was invited to deliver the highly prestigious White House Lecture. Andrew Roberts is a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Historical Society and has held many academic chairs and fellowships. He is currently Visiting Professor Department of War Studies King’s College London, and the Roger and Martha Mertz Visiting Research Fellow, The Hoover Institution at Stanford University. He is an accomplished broadcaster, in particular as a television commentator for major royal and state occasions.

Ben Miller is an actor, comedian and best-selling children’s author. Having abandoned his PhD in Quantum Physics, his comedy partnership with Alexander Armstrong landed him series on BBC Radio 4 and Channel 4. He is now very well known as a screen actor including, on television, lead roles in Professor T (ITV), Bridgerton (Netflix) and Death in Paradise (BBC). On the big screen he starred in the Johnny English series.

Abridged by Libby Spurrier
Read by Ben Miller
Produced by Caroline Raphael
A Pier production for BBC Radio 4 Show less