As podcast editor and lead multimedia historian at BBC History Magazine’s HistoryExtra, Ellie Cawthorne specializes in bringing forgotten narratives to life through innovative storytelling formats. Her work spans:
Successful outreach should emphasize:
“The best history stories make us reevaluate not just the past, but our present moment.”
Ellie Cawthorne’s career embodies the modern evolution of historical storytelling. After completing her postgraduate studies at the University of Nottingham, she joined BBC History Magazine in 2016 as a digital content producer. Her early work focused on bridging academic research with public engagement, a skill that quickly propelled her to become HistoryExtra’s podcast editor in 2018. Under her leadership, the podcast grew to 4 million monthly downloads, establishing it as one of Britain’s most influential history platforms.
“History isn’t just about dates and battles—it’s about the human stories that resonate across centuries.”
This investigative piece reconstructs the 19th-century Codrington divorce case through court documents and personal correspondence. Cawthorne reveals how this aristocratic scandal influenced marital law reforms while exposing Victorian hypocrisy about gender and sexuality. Her use of dramatic voice acting alongside historian commentary created a new template for historical true crime storytelling.
Combining archival research with 3D modeling technology, Cawthorne examines fresh evidence in England’s most enduring historical mystery. The article demonstrates her skill in balancing scholarly rigor with public fascination, featuring exclusive interviews with forensic archaeologists and Tudor manuscript specialists.
This deep dive into a 19th-century religious sect showcases Cawthorne’s ability to resurrect obscure historical movements. Through tax records, diary entries, and architectural analysis, she reconstructs the cult’s bizarre rituals while drawing parallels to modern-day extremist groups.
Cawthorne prioritizes stories that challenge historical narratives, particularly those highlighting marginalized groups. Successful pitches might explore:
- Working-class experiences during the Industrial Revolution
- LGBTQ+ histories predating modern terminology
Example: Her 2024 series on Victorian women detectives reshaped understanding of early forensic science.
With 60% of her work appearing across podcast/print/digital formats, ideal pitches suggest:
- Audio-friendly primary sources (letters, diary audio recreations)
- Visual components like archival maps or clothing analysis
Example: Her 2023 Titanic series combined sonar imaging with passenger biographies.
Cawthorne frequently draws connections between historical events and contemporary issues:
- 19th-century fake news epidemics
- Victorian environmental activism
Example: Her 2025 climate change series examined Little Ice Age adaptation strategies.
While global in scope, 78% of her published work focuses on British history with:
- Local folklore traditions
- Regional industrial innovations
Example: Her award-winning Cornish mining history series used dialect analysis.
Successful pitches often incorporate:
- Clothing/textile analysis
- Food history reconstructions
Example: Her 2024 “History of Tea” series combined chemical analysis with colonial trade records.
Won for innovative cross-platform storytelling that increased HistoryExtra’s under-35 audience by 40% within two years. The award recognizes global media talent under 30, judged by industry leaders from The Economist and Reuters Institute.
Selected by the Professional Publishers Association for transforming academic research into public-facing content. Judges noted her “unique ability to make complex historiography accessible without dilution.”
Shortlisted in the Best History Podcast category for her 12-part series London’s Darkest Hours, which used binaural sound design to recreate historical environments.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on History, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
