I did a degree in politics and social administration from 1980 to 1984. I then did the law conversion course. In June 1984, when I finished the law conversion course I got my first proper job and moved to London. In the October of that year, I went to a women’s history course. I felt that I had found my home.
There were two problems – I did not have a degree in hstory, it was impossible to make a living from women’s history. I wanted a job which did not exist being a researcher without having to teach students. I stuck with law.
In the mid 1990s, I did succeed in getting traditionally published. My first book was a collection of essays entitled Women, Migration and Empire. My contribution was an essay about black women in Britain c 1780 to 1830.
A lot of things changed in Britain between the late 1980s and the mid noughties. I changed too.
In 2020, I trained to be a tour guide. I wanted a way to bring history to life. I trained in Tower Hamlets, which includes Whitechapel. Inspired by The Five by Hallie Rubinhold, I wanted to offer anti Ripper walks. I am astonished that in the 2020s people still offer walks where the focus is on the killer rather than the victims. The book shows that none of the five victims were from that area. They had all ended up there due to misfortunes which had overwhelmed their lives.
The pandemic hit when I was half way through the guide training. That made travelling across London harder. I started to look closer to home for subjects to do walks about. I started to research my own local area – W10/W11. I already knew people offering walks and I had been on several myself.
The number of tourists coming to the area seems to have increased not decreased. My booklet “Its not Notting Hill, its Ladbroke Grove” is intended to provide more information about the area. I was recently on The Robert Elms Show on BBC talking about the booklet. You can listen to the interview on BBC Sounds here- https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002n6cw
Writing this booklet made me want to do more research in Kensington.
I started a walk focused around the rich lesbians who lived in Campden Hill area in the inter war period. It so happens that Agatha Christie also lived in the area. I am therefore working on a more general walk about interesting famous and not so famous women who lived in Campden Hill and South Kensington.
I will have a book about the rich lesbians published by the time, I resume the walks in March 2026. The walks are open to anyone interested.
In the 2020s, in my opinion, we have moved away from policy based on evidence to policy which is basically ideology and propaganda. Universities have lost their mission of fostering learning and academic excellence. They now think their mission is social justice. DEI is a virtual secular religion. We cannot go on like this.
I offer books which are based on archival research. These books have attitude and pull no punches. They are also presented to experts in the relevant field. Reviews can be found on the reviews page.
Over the past year, I have done two books. The first was Its not Notting Hill. The second is called London off the beaten track. As the name suggests, it is a guide to London. I have information about guided tours in all areas of London. I only recommend walks which I have done myself. I only recommend walks which in my opinion, present an accurate picture of London. London until very recently was a majority working class city. There was industry in all parts of London. Rich people did not live in London full time – they had a house elsewhere in the country.
My current is a book inspired by Jane Austen to mark her 250th anniversary.
In March 2026, I will be publishing Lesbian Lives 1919 to 1939 which goes with my Radclyffe Hall walk.
In 2027, I hope to have 3 books:
A book about the women of South Kensington.
A book currently called The Murder of Gail Benson which is about the death of the MPs daughter in 1970. The murder has links to Notting Hill.
A women’s history book focused on the period 1865 to 1914.
I may also be able to do a book about river pollution, why it matters and what we can do to prevent it.
In 2028, there will be another book on lesbian history and another book on women’s history 1914 to 1970.
When I am not doing research, I am likely to be doing volunteer conservation work at Epping Forest, crafting at the Men’s Shed in Ladbroke Grove (this shed is open to men and women) or taking part in activities related to combating river pollution. There are several rivers in London beside the Thames. Most of them are in need of human help.
If any of this interests you, please join me on a walk, buy a book or follow me on Instagram.
Note to editors and PRs – Much as I love the sound of my own voice but please do not feature me to tick boxes. I only want coverage where I can discuss ideas in sufficient depth to make a coherent argument.
Joan Grant - author 