Dr Owen Emmerson is a social and cultural historian, a co-author of five books/ exhibition catalogues, a regular contributor to television documentaries, and is an Assistant Curator at Hever Castle in Kent. In addition, he undertakes freelance historical consultancy – most recently for the BBC’s adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light.

His most recent book, Capturing a Queen: The Image of Anne Boleyn (co-authored with Kate McCaffrey) is scheduled for release in February 2026. The book draws on Emmerson’s original research and explores the many portraits of Anne Boleyn that have emerged over five centuries. It accompanies a world-first exhibition opening at Hever Castle in February 2026, which brings together the largest-ever gathering of likenesses long believed to depict Anne – including a newly identified contemporary image, unveiled for the first time. The book charts how Anne’s image has evolved over time, examines why successive generations felt compelled to “capture” her face, and presents scientific analysis of Hever’s famous “Hever Rose” panel portrait. It invites readers to engage with the evidence and consider, for themselves, which depiction may best represent the real Anne Boleyn.

His previous work, Holbein’s Hidden Gem: Rediscovering Thomas Cromwell’s Lost Book (2023), was co-authored with Kate McCaffrey. It tells the story of the ground-breaking discovery made by Kate McCaffrey, Alison Palmer and Emmerson of the Book of Hours depicted in Hans Holbein’s painting of Thomas Cromwell. Dr Tracy Borman dubbed their efforts as ‘The most exciting Thomas Cromwell discovery in a generation – if not more’.

Emmerson’s first book, co-authored with the historian Claire Ridgway, is entitled The Boleyns of Hever Castle. His second book, an exhibition catalogue co-authored with historian Kate McCaffrey, is entitled Becoming Anne: Connections, Culture, Court. His third book, an exhibition catalogue co-authored with historian Kate McCaffrey and Curator Alison Palmer is entitled Catherine and Anne: Queens, Rivals, Mothers.

Emmerson has also written for BBC HistoryExtra, The Daily Mirror, Jacobin, The Telegraph, The Express, and Radio Times.

Emmerson has appeared in over twenty documentaries about the Tudor era, including “Blood, Sex, and Royalty: Anne Boleyn” (Netflix, 2022); “The Boleyns: A Scandalous Family” (BBC2, 2021); “Who Do You Think You Are? Josh Widdicombe” (BBC1, 2021); “Walking Tudor England” (C5, 2021); “Lady Rochford” (C5, 2021); “Henry VIII and the King’s Men” (Smithsonian, 2020). You can find out more about his television work and the podcasts that he has contributed to on his media page. You can watch his showreel below.

Education

Emmerson completed his BA, MA, and doctoral research at the University of Sussex where he also co-organised the Seen But Not Heard conference in 2017. During his time at Sussex he volunteered, and later worked, at the Mass Observation Archive.

Awards

2015 – CHASE/ AHRC doctoral funding.

2014 – Beryl Williams History Prize for the best MA History dissertation.

2013 – Cate Haste MA scholarship.

2011 – Rose Prize for highest ranking History finalist.                    

2011 – John Lowerson Prize for best History dissertation.