Past master Dan Snow

Historian and broadcaster Dan Snow talks to Jane McGowan ahead of his one-man show

Dan Snow is on a mission. Often dubbed the ‘hunky historian’, the broadcaster is part of a wave of contemporary academics – think Brian Cox, Suzannah Lipscomb, Kate Williams – who are seeking to put the cool into school and bring scholarly pursuits to the masses. 

Thanks to Dan and his fellow pilgrims, the days when history was viewed as a fusty, dusty, book-heavy subject, the preserve of pensioners and dons, are well and truly over. And to prove it, Dan hits the road this summer for a marathon tour of his one-man show: Dan Snow – An Evening with the ‘History Guy’. Epsom gets to see him in July.

“I am really excited about this,” he says. “I have done live events before, but never on this scale – more than 30 dates all around the country. I really want to let people see how great history is.” 

The tour also celebrates Dan’s new digital channel History Hit TV, which he launched with great success last year.

“There will be lots of audiovisuals, some great stories and then a section in which I talk about the history of whichever place I happen to be in. 

“Towards the end I really want to get the audience involved, so we’re thinking of maybe having a big game show type wheel with hot topics from history, politics and current affairs. People can pick a topic and I’ll offer some historical background. 

“Hopefully they won’t focus on random things – Libya from 1822-24, for example. It’s a pretty tall order to know about everything that’s ever happened.”

Born in Barnes, Daniel Robert Snow is the third child of presenter and historian Peter Snow – he of the BBC’s famed election night swingometer – and retired Canadian news broadcaster Ann MacMillan. He says he was fascinated by history from a very young age – and with ancestors including former prime minister David Lloyd George and the First World War commander Lieutenant General Sir Thomas D’Oyly Snow, it is scarcely any wonder.

After graduating from Oxford, he wasted no time in launching his television career, joining his father Peter for the 2002 documentary Battleplan: El Alamein. Since then, he has fronted more than 20 history programmes, written six books and is also the resident history guru on BBC1’s nightly The One Show.

“With TV I’m often asked to look at different periods, but I am most drawn to the past 300 years and, in particular, to military history,” he reflects. “We are actually living in really interesting times right now – democracy under a bit of an assault, things getting rather more authoritarian and the renewed threat of nuclear weapons. It would be fascinating to know how our times will be judged.

“Hopefully people will look back and see them as a bit of a blip. The broad sweep of history does suggest that we are going in the right direction – lifting people out of poverty, technological advances, countries coming closer together through trade and travel. Hopefully all that will prove predominant.”

One thing that is definitely going in the right direction, believes Dan, is the nation’s attitude towards the armed forces. As an ambassador for SSAFA – the Armed Forces Charity (formerly Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association) – and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, the former Army Benevolent Fund, he feels very keenly that veterans should get the thanks they deserve. 

“Although people may not immediately realise it, war has touched all our lives. It’s shaped the world we live in, there’s no arguing with that.

 “After the First World War a lot of men went back to their homes and were abandoned in many ways. But it’s good to see what’s being done to mark the Armistice centenary, and the way people now think about those who fight for our country. 

“I do a lot of work with veterans and they love it when there are large crowds out to support them. I think it’s long overdue. This is a time to say thank you and to show some respect for what they went through.”

Encouraging younger people to find out about the past is another of Dan’s passions – one he hopes to fulfil through his TV channel and free podcasts, which tackle a different period each time.

“Kids always struggle to believe that anything of interest happened before they were born,” he laughs. “But if you can get them to GCSE or A Level, they often become hooked. History is so much more accessible now, thanks to the internet. And in this country we have all these great houses and castles, it’s everywhere. 

“In some ways we are living in a golden age for those interested in history, but I’m never satisfied and there are many more people who could get involved.

“The podcast is now reaching one million people per month. You can put any history you want up there – from the story of Kenya to the history of the Stone Age – and it’s been a real privilege to run. I do everything from researching the topics to finding the guests and then record it on my phone. It’s become a big part of my career.”

Even in his family life, history plays a major part for Dan. He is married to Lady Edwina Grosvenor, second daughter of the late Duke of Westminster, with whom he has three children, Zia, Wolf and Orla. Many a weekend, one suspects, is spent wandering round properties in the care of the National Trust.

“Oh, you better believe it,” he jokes. “The children actually seem quite interested already, so of course I hope that continues.”

And with a baronetcy on their mother’s side that dates back to the 1620s, why wouldn’t they be conscious of the past?

“Yes, but I don’t want them ever to feel that they are born into something,” cautions Dan. “I think it is important for them to find their own way, write their own story. They are descended from some interesting people, but so are most people. In the end, we’re all from King Charlemagne or Genghis Khan. It’s just that some families know about it.”

Maybe it’s time we all took a look.

Dan Snow – An Evening with the ‘History Guy’ is at Epsom Playhouse on July 11. For details visit: epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Tags

claremont mpu

nvt mpu dec