Mathew is a writer and historian based in East London. He studied English Language and Literature at Leeds University, where he went on to take an MA in Renaissance Literature. He is also a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.
His last book, The Favourite, was the first book-length exploration of the love affair between Walter Ralegh and Elizabeth I. Helen Castor, author of She-Wolves, chose it as one of her books of the year. She said: ‘The Favourite is wonderful. Elegant and intriguing – a seductive portrait of a fascinating relationship. I couldn’t put it down.’
His previous book, Impossible Journeys, a collection of travellers’ tales about journeys to places that do not exist, was compared by The Guardian to a ‘non-fiction Calvino’. Prior to that, he wrote There and Back Again: In the Footsteps of JRR Tolkien, described by Professor Tom Shippey as ‘an excellent guide not only to Tolkien’s actual real-life physical environment, but also to his deepest feelings about England, about landscape, about history and prehistory’.
Mathew currently writes the Months Past column for History Today. He has written or reviewed for a wide range of other publications including the Financial Times, the Times Literary Supplement, BBC History, Slightly Foxed, The Stage, The Author, Literary Review, The Quietus, The Economist, The Critic, The Tablet, The Times, Renaissance Studies, Catholic Herald, All About History, New Humanist, and The Chap. His poems have been published by Reliquiae, Atrium, Dawn Treader, Bad Lilies, The Interpreter’s House, Under the Radar, and Ink, Sweat and Tears, among others.
Mathew has been profiled in The Yorkshire Post and The Herald in Scotland. His media appearances include Sky News, ITN, CBC, BBC Radio London (Robert Elms), LBC (Sandi Toksvig), and a wide range of regional radio stations including BBC Radio Wiltshire, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cornwall, BBC Radio Gloucestershire, BBC Radio Oxford, BBC Radio Jersey, BBC Radio Bristol and BBC Radio Manchester (GMR).
He has spoken at the London Book Fair, Words on the Water, Chiswick Book Festival, Sharjah International Book Fair, Essex University, Bath Spa University, and numerous local history, library and book-shop events.
He also performed in the Dolphin’s Back production of Marlowe’s Massacre At Paris at the Rose Playhouse, as well as at the History Show-Off stand-up evening and at Wunderkammer, hosted by the Do Not Adjust Your Stage improv group.
Mathew Lyons 
Hello, I’d like to discuss your article on Jack Buchanan (2019). If you have time , could you contact me by email (see below). Thanks in advance.
Hello Malcolm. Happy to have a chat. I can’t see an email attached to this, but will try to contact you through the bairdtelevision.com website. Kind regards Mathew
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Hello Mathew,
I hope this reply reaches you.
My reason for writing is that in your 1919 article, you did not mention that my father (J.L.Baird, TV pioneer) was a school friend of Jack Buchanan and they kept in touch until my father’s death 1946. I met Jack just once, a memorable occasion.
I hope we can communicate in more detail. I tried to get through via "Twitter" but found it too complicated
all best,
Malcolm Baird
Hello Malcolm
I sent an email to you via your website, but you can also email me at admin@mathewlyons.co.uk.
I am aware of your father’s friendship with Jack, but I’m afraid I didn’t have room for it in my article. If I recall correctly, Jack funded some of your father’s research. I would be delighted to hear more!
With warm regards
Mathew
Thank you for your spectacularly enjoyable article about Russell Hoban. I have always loved Russell Hoban since reading Kleinzeit almost 40 years ago. It has been thrilling to get the chance to put him into Penguin Modern Classics and a delight to see your appreciation of his work. I too have had that image of the lion biting the wheel in my head for so many years. Thank you! All the best, Simon Winder
Ah, thank you Simon. Honestly, it was such a privilege and a pleasure to read them again – and to spend so much time in Hoban’s head! Everyone says Riddley Walker is a masterpiece, and it is, but The Lion… is really not far behind! Thanks again. Mathew
I can not believe that Twyford Abbey is still lying idle in such big city as London. I am one of the Alexian Brothers who lived there in 1961 and 62, when it was for the care of the elderly, and again in 1969, while awaiting my visa to go to Africa for primary health work. What an amenity, this place could be. When I was there Guinness Brewery, was across the road and had a herd of Jersey cattle in the Grounds of Twyford Abbey.
Brother Barry
Thank you for getting in touch Barry. It must have been a lovely place to live. It is indeed shocking that the building has been left to decay in the way it has. I believe the recent(ish) plans to convert it into a school have been abandoned. The brewery is long gone, although Diageo, which now owns Guinness, has its offices nearby – presumably on the same site. Best wishes, Mathew
I can not believe that Twyford Abbey is still lying idle in such big city as London. I am one of the Alexian Brothers who lived there in 1961 and 62, when it was for the care of the elderly, and again in 1969, while awaiting my visa to go to Africa for primary health work. What an amenity, this place could be. When I was there Guinness Brewery, was across the road and had a herd of Jersey cattle in the Grounds of Twyford Abbey.
So, Sir Walter is definitely being remembered in the 400th year. But not everywhere. My US contact at the University of North Carolina has tried in vain to get the Mayor of Raleigh NC interested. No response. He even feels that the city does not know why it is so named.
Hello Mathew
Very much enjoyed The Favourite; thank you.
And I have a quick question; did Bess attend Sir Walter’s trial?
Cheers
Rachel
Hi Rachel.
Thank you – that’s lovely to hear.
I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to your question, excellent though it is. It may not be specifically recorded, but ‘ll try to find out for you!
Best wishes
Mathew
That would be brilliant; thank you again! I am starting a play-writing project (you may start to guess what – or who – it is about) and once it is in some sort of vague draft, I would love it if you could check it for accuracy. If you would rather not, please say and I’ll track down a history bod at Winchester Uni. Credit would be given of course!
Regards
Rachel
Hi Rachel. Would be delighted to help in any way I can!
Best wishes
Mathew
Hi again Rachel
Looking in Anna Beer’s biography of Bess, it seems unclear where she was during W’s trial. AB speculates that she may have based herself either with her brother Arthur at Mile End, or with her uncle at Beddington in Surrey. You can read the lack of evidence either way (especially for dramatic purposes) but I think it more likely that she did not attend the trial.
Apologies if this isn’t very helpful.
Kind regards
Mathew
PS. Plus Roanoke Historical Association in North Carolina and ‘The Lost Colony’ team among the organisations.
Hello: writing from Budleigh Salterton, where Millais worked on his Boyhood of Ralegh painting, I’m just wondering what events are being planned anywhere in the world to mark the 400th anniversary next year of Sir Walter’s death. Yet another biography?
That’s a very good question to which I am afraid I do not know the answer! I shall do some digging.
Naturally I’m digging away myself. Sherborne Castle very aware of the 40th. Keen to put together a Ralegh trail for 2018, either leaflet or digital.
Do let me know if I can help.
Many thanks Mathew. Please let me have your email address. My Raleigh/Ralegh project is turning out to be an extended networking exercise to stir thoughts at East Budleigh Parish Council, Sherborne Castle, the Middle Temple, HMS Raleigh, Raleigh International, the Tower of London, Elizabeth Castle,Tate Britain etc etc. I have a letter which I am about to send out on behalf of Fairlynch Museum and it would be good to include your name in a list of people that we have consulted. Best wishes, Michael
Many apologies for the delay. I’m on holiday and not checking in very often! My email is info@mathewlyons.co.uk. Best wishes. Mathew
PS That’s an impressive list!
Very happy to have found your site. I am from Virginia where we studied Sir Walter Raleigh in early education as you can imagine. Had no idea there was a love affair with Elizabeth I, will be searching for your book soon! (Didn’t get THAT lesson in elementary school…)
Can’t believe I didn’t read your about page before! I also have a feeling WP have unfollowed me on my behalf. Thanks, WP. Grrr.