Apprentice to the Trade: Reflections on the Craft of Writing History

Robert Colls was Professor of English History at the University of Leicester before moving to the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University, also in Leicester, where he is Professor Emeritus. He is the author of many highly regarded works examining English identity, culture and class. His most recent book is George Orwell: Life and Legacy (Oxford, 2026). Colls’s writing has consistently stood out for being both scholarly and accessible, engaging general audiences as well as professional historians. The Editors of Transactions asked him to reflect on the craft of historical research and – especially – writing, and this piece is the end result. Further reflections on this theme would be very welcome. Colleagues interested in contributing to the Common Room should contact the Editors in advance.