Annette Carson

Annette Carson is a freelance writer with a preference for history and biography, and has sold over 60,000 non-fiction books. As Historical Consultant she was a member of the 'Looking For Richard Project' that found Richard III in Leicester in 2012. After writing on subjects including aviation (aerobatics) and a biography of rock guitarist Jeff Beck, her first Ricardian book was Richard III: The Maligned King. First published in 2008, it has reached sales of 12,000 and is still regularly updated. This was followed by Richard III: A Small Guide to the Great Debate. Written as a layman's introduction to the Richard III controversy, it has been described as 'Probably the clearest and shortest and most enjoyable read ever'. In 2014 she edited, co-authored and co-ordinated publication of Finding Richard III: this is the official account of how the 'Looking For Richard' team independently, and at their own expense, pieced together the historical evidence that indicated the correct location of his grave, AND raised the money needed to commission archaeologists to perform the excavation. This was dramatized in the film The Lost King. In May 2015 she published new research into the protectorate that preceded Richard III's accession: Richard Duke of Gloucester as Lord Protector and High Constable of England. Dr Arthur Kincaid wrote 'this confirms my sense that you are the most important writer on Richard today'. Her most recent publication is a new English translation of probably the most important contemporary document describing Richard's accession to the throne: Domenico Mancini de occupatione regni Anglie, with extensive historical background and analysis (2021). These last four are available in print and as Troubador eBooks. *** Annette Carson is a Fellow of the Richard III Society, having been given Honorary Life Membership in 2014 for distinguished services to the Society's aims. She featured as the expert witness on BBC Radio 4's series 'Great Lives' when Richard III was nominated by Philippa Langley, 6 January 2015, available on podcast and iPlayer. A revised and updated edition of Richard III: The Maligned King is scheduled for publication in December 2023.