House historian
Melanie Backe-Hansen is an independent historian, writer, speaker, and TV consultant, specialising in the social history of houses across the United Kingdom.
The main focus of Melanie’s work involves original research for homeowners and corporate clients to provide bespoke house history books and research reports. Melanie is a research consultant for A House Through Time (BBC Two) and to accompany the popular series, Melanie has co-written A House Through Time (Picador, 2020) with historian David Olusoga.
She was series historical consultant and on-screen expert for Phil Spencer’s History of Britain in 100 Homes (More4). She is also the author of House Histories: The Secrets Behind Your Front Door (The History Press, 2019), and Historic Streets and Squares: The Secrets on Your Doorstep (The History Press, 2013).
Melanie is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA) and is a Member of the Royal Historical Society (RHS), The Society of Authors (SoA), and the Historical Writers’ Association (HWA). She is also an Honorary Teaching Fellow at the University of Dundee, tutoring a house history module. Formerly, Melanie was the first and only historian to be employed by a UK estate agent to specifically research the history of houses and streets.
House History Show presentation
On Saturday 15 May at 10.15 am research consultant Melanie Backe-Hansen from the BBC TV series A House Through Time will be co-presenting the keynote with series consultant Prof Deborah Sugg Ryan: Keynote: A House Through Time.
Melanie will also be participating in the chats and plenary Q&A through the day.
Book your ticket
- Click here to buy your all-inclusive ticket for the House History Show
Find Melanie Backe-Hansen online
Melanie Backe-Hansen's books
House Histories: The Secrets Behind Your Front Door
Historic Streets and Squares: The Secrets on Your Doorstep
@HouseHistoryHr – tune in to #HouseHistoryHour every Thursday at 7pm GMT/BST, co-hosted by Melanie Backe-Hansen and a group of fellow leading house historians for House History news, advice & information.