Ballot Archive

03 Jul 2025

Candidate Details

Candidate Name

Samantha Smith

Academic degrees, honours etc.

PhD English (London, 2018) MA Renaissance Studies (London, 2003) BA English (London, 2001)

Profession or occupation

Researcher and writer

Grounds for election

Dr Samantha Smith is a researcher, writer, fiction author and figure in public engagement with particular expertise on the Tower of London. Her PhD research on 16th and 17th century state letters deepened her understanding of the creation and manipulation of historical narratives, and her continued study of Tower prisoners and archaeological findings has informed both scholarly articles and her recent historical novel set in the 13th century. Her expertise in medieval and early modern history offers an opportunity to widen public access to such scholarship, aligning with the Society’s broad mission. At the Tower, Samantha engages in outreach, sharing its rich past with visitors and contributing articles to the volunteer newsletter. Via her combined experience in academic research, public engagement, and historical fiction, Samantha would enrich the Society’s outreach strategy by helping foster interest in medieval history and making it more accessible and relevant to diverse audiences

Signatories

The following Fellows have signed this Blue Paper