History of Tom Holland (author) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: January 8, 2025

Thomas Holland is a renowned English author and historian specializing in classical and medieval history, as well as the origins of Islam. His works have achieved bestseller status, indicating his wide appeal and engaging writing style. Holland's expertise lies in making complex historical subjects accessible to a broad audience, bridging the gap between academic research and popular understanding. His books contribute significantly to public knowledge and appreciation of these historical periods.

1922: Discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb (Setting for "Sleeper in the Sands")

Although not directly related to Tom Holland's life, the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 serves as the starting point for his 1999 novel, "Sleeper in the Sands".

January 1968: Birth of Tom Holland

Tom Holland was born in January 1968.

July 1993: Marriage to Sadie

Tom Holland married Sadie, a midwife, on July 31, 1993. They have two daughters and live in Brixton, London.

1995: Reissue of Erich Gruen's "The Last Generation of the Roman Republic"

Erich Gruen's "The Last Generation of the Roman Republic" was reissued in 1995. This is mentioned in a review comparing it to Holland's "Rubicon".

1995: Publication of "The Vampyre"

In 1995, Tom Holland published his first novel, "The Vampyre: Being the True Pilgrimage of George Gordon, Sixth Lord Byron", which was later retitled "Lord of the Dead: The Secret History of Byron" for its U.S. release in 1996.

1996: Publication of "Attis"

In 1996, Tom Holland published "Attis", a supernatural horror novel featuring figures from the ancient Roman Republic.

1996: Publication of "Supping with Panthers"

Tom Holland published the sequel to "The Vampyre", titled "Supping with Panthers", in 1996. This was also retitled for the U.S. release as "Slave of My Thirst".

1997: Publication of "Deliver Us From Evil"

Tom Holland published "Deliver Us From Evil", set in 17th-century England, in 1997.

1999: Publication of "Sleeper in the Sands"

In 1999, Tom Holland published "Sleeper in the Sands", a novel set in Egypt.

1999: Publication of "The Bone Hunter"

Tom Holland published his final novel to date, "The Bone Hunter", a thriller set in the United States, in 1999.

2001: BBC Radio 4 Broadcasts and Play

In 2001, Holland adapted classical Greek and Roman writings for BBC Radio 4 and wrote a play based on Thucydides' History of the Peloponnesian War titled Our Man in Athens.

2003: Invasion of Iraq

The 2003 invasion of Iraq was cited by journalist Peter Oborne as a cause for the rise of ISIS, in contrast to Holland's view.

2003: Publication of "Rubicon"

Tom Holland published his first history book, "Rubicon: The Last Years of the Roman Republic", in 2003.

2004: Holland Wins Hessell-Tiltman Prize

Tom Holland won the 2004 Hessell-Tiltman Prize for "Rubicon".

2005: Publication of "Persian Fire"

Tom Holland published "Persian Fire", an account of the Greco-Persian Wars, in 2005.

2006: Holland Wins Runciman Award

Tom Holland won the Anglo-Hellenic League's 2006 Runciman Award for "Persian Fire".

2008: Publication of "Millennium"

In 2008, Tom Holland published "Millennium: The End of the World and the Forging of Christendom", exploring the transition of Western Europe out of the Dark Ages.

January 2011: Joined Twitter

Tom Holland joined Twitter in January 2011.

February 2011: Dinosaurs, Myths and Monsters

In February 2011, Holland wrote and presented Dinosaurs, Myths and Monsters, a BBC Four television program exploring the influence of fossils on mythology.

2011: Making History Presenter

Starting in 2011, Tom Holland became one of the presenters of the BBC Radio 4 history series Making History.

August 2012: Islam: The Untold Story

In August 2012, Holland produced and presented the documentary Islam: The Untold Story for Channel 4, questioning traditional Islamic doctrine about Muhammad and the Quran's origins.

2012: Publication of "In the Shadow of the Sword"

Tom Holland published "In the Shadow of the Sword", a book about the rise of Islam, in 2012.

2013: The Authors XI and Cricket

In 2013, Tom Holland contributed to the book 'The Authors XI: A Season of English Cricket from Hackney to Hambledon' and wrote about his cricket experiences.

2013: Defense Against Islamophobia Accusations

In 2013, Tom Holland defended himself against accusations of Islamophobia, stating that he believes Islam should be subject to historical analysis like other religions and that it enriches intellectual life.

2013: Religious Beliefs and Upbringing

In 2013, Tom Holland discussed his upbringing by his Anglican mother and his association of Anglicanism with positive values. He also stated his disbelief in the existence of God.

2013: Publication of The Histories Translation

In 2013, Tom Holland published his translation of Herodotus's The Histories, which was lauded by critics and scholars.

August 2014: Letter to the People of Scotland

In August 2014, Holland and Dan Snow organized a letter signed by British public figures urging Scotland to remain in the UK.

September 2014: Scottish Independence Referendum

The Scottish independence referendum took place in September 2014, with Holland advocating for Scotland to remain in the UK.

2014: Sinjar visit and Yazidi Massacre

In 2014, Holland visited Sinjar, Iraq, documenting the aftermath of the ISIS massacre of Yazidis.

2014: Yazidi Genocide by ISIS

In 2014, ISIS committed mass murder and kidnappings against the Yazidi people in northern Iraq.

2014: Support for State Education

In 2014, Tom Holland expressed his support for state education over private education.

2014: Support for Latin in State Schools

In 2014, Tom Holland supported Michael Gove's plan to expand the teaching of Latin in state schools.

March 2015: We Must Not Deny the Religious Roots of Islamic State

In March 2015, Tom Holland published an article arguing against denying the religious roots of ISIS.

May 2015: Christopher Hitchens Lecture

In May 2015, Tom Holland gave the inaugural Christopher Hitchens Lecture at the Hay Festival, discussing the de-radicalization of Muhammad.

2015: Bataclan theatre massacre site visit

In 2015, as part of his documentary, Holland visited the site of the Bataclan theatre massacre in Paris.

2015: Publication of "Dynasty"

Tom Holland published "Dynasty: The Rise and Fall of the House of Caesar" in 2015, covering the Julio-Claudian dynasty of Roman emperors.

2016: Publication of "Athelstan: The Making of England"

In 2016, Tom Holland published "Athelstan: The Making of England", a biography of the first king of England.

2016: Why I Was Wrong About Christianity

In 2016, Tom Holland published an article titled "Why I Was Wrong About Christianity" in the New Statesman, where he admitted his previous misconception about the influence of Christianity on Western values.

2016: Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature

In 2016, Tom Holland was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

2016: Brexit Vote

The UK voted to leave the EU in 2016, a decision Holland stated needed to be implemented despite him voting Remain.

2017: These Islands Think Tank

In 2017, Holland co-founded the think tank "These Islands" to promote debate about British identity, Brexit, and Scottish independence.

2017: Stonehenge Tunnel Opposition

In 2017, Holland publicly opposed the proposed Stonehenge road tunnel, expressing concern about its impact on the historical site.

2017: Isis: The Origins of Violence

In 2017, Holland wrote and presented the Channel 4 documentary Isis: The Origins of Violence, examining ISIS's use of Islamic doctrine.

2017: On Defining Muslims

In 2017, Tom Holland stated that it's not the business of non-Muslims to define who is a Muslim, especially when such definitions are used to justify violence.

2017: Plea for the Yazidi

In 2017, Tom Holland wrote an article for The Spectator urging the West not to forget the suffering of the Yazidi people at the hands of ISIS.

June 2018: Interview on Western Apathy towards Yazidis

In June 2018, Tom Holland discussed Western apathy toward the Yazidis' suffering in an interview with James Delingpole.

October 2018: Brexit Stance

In October 2018, Holland expressed his view that Brexit had to happen as it was the democratic result.

2018: President of Stonehenge Alliance

In 2018, Tom Holland became president of the Stonehenge Alliance to oppose the proposed road tunnel.

March 2019: Opera about Cleopatra

In March 2019, Tom Holland announced on Twitter that he had written an opera about Cleopatra, which was in the showcase stage of development.

June 2019: Address to Parliament on Yazidi Suffering

In June 2019, Tom Holland addressed members of Parliament about the atrocities committed against the Yazidi people.

2019: Publication of "Dominion"

In 2019, Tom Holland published "Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind" (titled "Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World" in the U.S.), exploring Christianity's influence on Western civilization.

2019: Public Letter Denouncing Jeremy Corbyn

In 2019, Tom Holland signed a public letter to The Guardian denouncing Jeremy Corbyn for antisemitism. He also wrote an article for The Telegraph criticizing Corbyn's support for Raed Salah, who spread the blood libel.