Matthew Parker

Born in Central America, Matthew Parker spent part of his childhood in the West Indies. He has written for most UK national newspapers, literary and historical magazines, as well as lecturing around the world and contributing to TV and radio programmes in the UK, Canada and US. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, his bestselling and critically-acclaimed books include Monte Cassino, Hell's Gorge: The Battle to Build the Panama Canal, The Sugar Barons, Goldeneye and Willoughbyland. His most recent book, One Fine Day: Britain's Empire on the Brink, tells the story of of the empire on 29 September 1923, the day it reached what would turn out to be its maximum territorial extent. He lives in east London with his family and annoying dog.