Chris Roberts (author)
Encyclopedia
Chris Roberts is a librarian
in South London
, England
, and sometime walking tour guide
, as he is the proprietor of F and M Walking Tours in London
. The stories that Roberts incorporated into his walking tours became the inspiration for his book Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: The Reason Behind the Rhyme. which was first published in November 2003 with a limited print run of 2000 copies. What began as a self-published
project in the UK soon attracted worldwide publicity, including coverage in USA Today
. It also received some criticism for its speculative nature and lack of scholarship. The book is now widely available as it is published by both Gotham Books and Granta
. Roberts has also written Cross River Traffic on the history of bridges over the Thames. One Eye Grey, a series of penny dreadful booklets is another self published venture. These contain short stories based on London folklore. In June 2010 he published Football Voodoohttp://www.footyvoodoo.com/pages/football%20voodoo%20home.html A study of black magic and superstition in the world of football.
Roberts lived in New York City
for several years after earning a degree in history at Swansea University
. He also lived in Berlin
for a while before settling in London
.
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
in South London
South London
South London is the southern part of London, England, United Kingdom.According to the 2011 official Boundary Commission for England definition, South London includes the London boroughs of Bexley, Bromley, Croydon, Greenwich, Kingston, Lambeth, Lewisham, Merton, Southwark, Sutton and...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, and sometime walking tour guide
Tour guide
A tour guide provides assistance, information and cultural, historical and contemporary heritage interpretation to people on organized tours, individual clients, educational establishments, at religious and historical sites, museums, and at venues of other significant interest...
, as he is the proprietor of F and M Walking Tours in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The stories that Roberts incorporated into his walking tours became the inspiration for his book Heavy Words Lightly Thrown: The Reason Behind the Rhyme. which was first published in November 2003 with a limited print run of 2000 copies. What began as a self-published
Self-publishing
Self-publishing is the publication of any book or other media by the author of the work, without the involvement of an established third-party publisher. The author is responsible and in control of entire process including design , formats, price, distribution, marketing & PR...
project in the UK soon attracted worldwide publicity, including coverage in USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
. It also received some criticism for its speculative nature and lack of scholarship. The book is now widely available as it is published by both Gotham Books and Granta
Granta
Granta is a literary magazine and publisher in the United Kingdom whose mission centers on its "belief in the power and urgency of the story, both in fiction and non-fiction, and the story’s supreme ability to describe, illuminate and make real." In 2007, The Observer stated, "In its blend of...
. Roberts has also written Cross River Traffic on the history of bridges over the Thames. One Eye Grey, a series of penny dreadful booklets is another self published venture. These contain short stories based on London folklore. In June 2010 he published Football Voodoohttp://www.footyvoodoo.com/pages/football%20voodoo%20home.html A study of black magic and superstition in the world of football.
Roberts lived in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for several years after earning a degree in history at Swansea University
Swansea University
Swansea University is a university located in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom. Swansea University was chartered as University College of Swansea in 1920, as the fourth college of the University of Wales. In 1996, it changed its name to the University of Wales Swansea following structural changes...
. He also lived in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
for a while before settling in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
.