- Robin Bush (historian)
Robin Bush, born at
Hayes, Middlesex in1943 , was the residenthistorian for the first nine series ofChannel 4 'sarchaeology series "Time Team ", appearing in 39 episodes between 1994 to 2003. He also presented eight episodes of "Time Team Extra " in 1998. [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124202/] Bush on the IMDb website]Early life
His father was originally a schoolmaster and then a training college lecturer in
Mathematics . Bush attendedExeter School inDevon between 1950 to 1962, and it was here aged 13 that he first became interested in historical research while studying the school's history. His first two research papers were published by the Devonshire Association before he left school. [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/biog_robin.html] Channel 4 'Time Team' interview] He won a Trevelyan Scholarship, followed by a Stapledon Exhibition and later still a state scholarship, to readHistory atExeter College, Oxford (1962–65), taking his BA in Modern History in 1965 and an MA in 1984. Among his contemporaries at Oxford were the broadcasterCraig Raine , the journalistTariq Ali , theMarquess of Hartington and thepsephologist ProfessorIvor Crewe . A keen amateur actor, he also appeared on stage withMonty Python actorTerry Jones .Historian
In 1965 he was appointed assistant archivist at Surrey Record Office at
Kingston-on-Thames before moving to Somerset Record Office in 1967 where he spent the rest of his working life. From 1970 to 1978 Bush was assistant editor of the "Victoria History of Somerset", writing much of the content of three of its volumes. Later he returned to the Record Office as Deputy County Archivist until taking early retirement in 1993.Bush wrote his first book in 1977, and produced volumes on the history of
Taunton ,Exmouth andWellington , followed by a series of books on the county ofSomerset . He researched emigration from the South West ofEngland toNew England between 1620 to 1645, which led to the publication of three further books inOhio . Bush has made six speaking tours to theUnited States , during one of which he met President George Bush at theWhite House . In 1987 he explained Somerset's archives to HM the Queen and theDuke of Edinburgh . From 1984 to 1996 he had a weekly spot onBBC Radio Bristol and thenBBC Somerset , on which he told stories of local history and folklore.Television appearances
Bush became involved with the "
Time Team " programmes through his long friendship withMick Aston when Aston was Somerset's first county fieldarchaeologist . Aston had previously discussed the idea of devising an archaeological television programme withTony Robinson , and a pilot episode was set up. Through helping to devise the programme's format with producer Tim Taylor, Bush was invited to take part in the pilot which was shot at Dorchester-on-Thames in October 1992. Although the pilot programme was never screened, the idea was good enough to persuade Channel 4 to commission a four programme series of "Time Team", which was filmed in 1993 and broadcast the following year. Bush also appearedChannel 4 's series "Joe Public ", for which he researched the loss of a hat jewel by Henry VIII.As a solo presenter Bush filmed a series of six half-hour programmes entitled "The West at War", which examined the impact of war on the South West of
England from Roman times to the present day for ITV Westcountry. [ [http://www.locatetv.com/tv/west-at-war/112787] The "West at War" episode guide]Personal life
Bush is married with two children. He performs regularly in amateur dramas, musicals and grand opera productions throughout West Somerset, and is president of Taunton Operatic Society. In 1991, 1994 and 1997 he helped to judge the grand finals of the World Public Speaking and Debating Championships.
Since May 1997 Bush has served as a Liberal Democrat county councillor for Somerset, sitting as vice chairman of the County's Information and Leisure Board, and is also a member of the Education Committee and the Countryside and Heritage Board, with special responsibility for museums.
Bush also serves on the Council of the
University of Bristol and is Vice Chairman of the South West Museums Council. From 2001 to 2005 he was Chairman of Somerset County Council.References
External links
* [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/biog_robin.html Bush on the "
Time Team website]
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124202/ Bush on theInternet Movie Database website]
* [http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/T/timeteam/archive/timeteamlive2001/feature_ethnic.html Bush on 'Time Team Live' in 2001]
* [http://www.timeteam.k1z.com/index.php?ind=articoli&op=entry_view&iden=44 Detailed biography on the 'Unofficial Time Team' website]
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