Dr Angela Buckley is a crime historian and author. Her research interests are Victorian and Edwardian police detectives and their sleuthing skills, historical murder cases, and the history of CSI and forensic science. Her doctoral thesis is The Science of Sleuthing: The Evolution of Detective Practice in English Regional Cities, 1836-1914.
Angela’s life in crime began with her own family. Whilst researching her family tree, she uncovered all sorts of shady ancestors, including petty thieves, poachers and even a brothel keeper in the dangerous slums of Victorian Manchester. Inspired by her Italian immigrant ancestors and her home city’s colourful past, her first book was the popular police biography, The Real Sherlock Holmes: The Hidden Story of Jerome Caminada. She has also written about the infamous Victorian baby farmer, Amelia Dyer. Her next book, The Bermondsey Murder: Scotland Yard’s First Great Challenge and Dickens’ Inspiration, will be published in 2024.
Angela’s work on Victorian crime and police history has featured in many national magazines and newspapers, including The Times, The Telegraph, the Sunday Express, All About History and Who Do You Think You Are? magazine. Angela is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association, the Historical Writers’ Association and the Society of Authors.
An experienced speaker, Angela has taken part in many events such as the Henley Literary Festival, the Manchester Histories Festival and at the Museum of London. She recently took part in the London Month of the Dead festival. Her She is a frequent guest on BBC Radio and on podcasts, and has appeared on The One Show on BBC One, and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip and The Secret Genius of Modern Life on BBC Two.
In her first career Angela was head of modern languages in a large comprehensive school and lectured at King’s College London and Oxford Brookes University. She speaks French, Spanish and Italian, and has published several books in modern languages education. She has now returned to Oxford Brookes University as associate lecturer in history.
