Richard Knott

Richard Knott is a writer, researcher and poet. Before his book 'Black Night for Bomber Command' was published in 2007 he had worked as a teacher, education adviser and management consultant, having begun working life as an actor, a period which included a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford (carrying a spear for some of the time!) His most recent book is 'All-India and Down Under' (Pitch Publishing) about the return of cricket after the 2nd World War. He has also written books for Pen & Sword: 'Posted in Wartime' and 'The Secret War Against the Arts'; for the History Press: 'The Sketchbook War' and 'The Trio'; and for Robert Hale: 'Flying Boats of the Empire'. He has published two poetry collections 'Perfect Day' (2020) and 'The Texan's House' (2022). A selection of the poetry of Clive Branson for Smokestack Books was published in 2023.

Far From Lord’s, Richard’s latest book which will be published in October 2026, draws on a longstanding passion for the game of cricket and its rich history. It focuses on the England tours between 1953-1969 but the scope of the book extends beyond cricket and cricketers to the writers and cricket correspondents who followed the tours, as well as wider issues – writing, travel, empire and its decline, politics and the way the world once was. Among the players figuring in the book are Frank Tyson, Peter May, Len Hutton, Basil D'Oliveira, Ted Dexter, Tom Graveney, Fred Trueman and Colin Cowdrey. The cricket writers include Alan Ross, E W Swanton, Ian Peebles and John Woodcock.

Richard studied history at King’s College, London University, lives in Somerset, enjoys gardening, walking and cricket – and is a lifelong supporter of his local football team.