Tom Holland

Tom Holland is one of Britain’s most renowned historians, authors, and broadcasters, known for captivating audiences with his explorations of the ancient world. As a keynote speaker, Tom brings a storyteller’s flair to history, weaving compelling narratives that connect past empires to today’s cultural and political landscapes. Widely recognised for his bestselling book ‘Rubicon: The Triumph and Tragedy of the Roman Republic’, he earned the 2004 Hessell-Tiltman Prize for History, with the work also shortlisted for the Samuel Johnson Prize, establishing him as a major voice in public history.

Tom’s passion for antiquity began in childhood, drawn equally to dinosaurs and ancient civilisations, earning a double first in English at Queens’ College, Cambridge. Though he began doctoral research on Lord Byron at Oxford, Tom soon left academia, preferring to pursue a writing career. His early works delved into gothic horror, blending historical elements with supernatural themes, but it was while researching ‘The Bone Hunter’ that his enthusiasm for classical history was reignited - prompting a decisive turn toward historical non-fiction.

Since then, Tom has authored a series of critically acclaimed works. ‘Persian Fire’ (2005), an account of the Greco-Persian Wars, earned him the Runciman Award, while ‘Millennium’ (2008) offered a dramatic retelling of Europe’s rebirth around the year 1000. His later books, including ‘In the Shadow of the Sword’, ‘Dynasty’, and ‘Dominion’, further demonstrate his command of ancient and religious history. Tom’s translation of Herodotus’ ‘Histories’, published by Penguin in 2013, was hailed by critics as a standout modern version. In the media, he has fronted numerous BBC and Channel 4 documentaries, including ‘Islam: The Untold Story’ and ‘Isis: The Origins of Violence’, and is a familiar voice as a presenter on BBC Radio 4’s Making History and co-host of The Rest is History podcast.

Hiring Tom means securing a speaker who not only informs but inspires. His keynote speeches span topics like civilisational rise and collapse, the evolution of religion, and the role of history in modern identity. With unmatched storytelling, scholarly depth and cultural relevance, Tom helps audiences understand the past in order to navigate the present. Whether for corporate events, educational institutions or public forums, he offers profound insights into how history continues to shape our world.