Drew Gray

Drew Gray is a prominent historian and academic at the University of Northampton, serving as Head of Culture within the Culture Centre for Historical Studies. He holds a PhD from the same institution and teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules on the history of crime and punishment, as well as broader British social and cultural history from the mid-18th to early 20th centuries.

• PhD, University of Northampton, 2007

His research is deeply focused on the historical portrayal of crime, particularly the role of magistrates and police courts in London during the Victorian era. He critically examines how media representations shape public attitudes toward criminality and justice. A significant portion of his work investigates the mythology surrounding the Whitechapel murders and Jack the Ripper, challenging popular narratives with rigorous historical analysis.

Drew Gray’s publications span books, peer-reviewed articles, and public-facing commentary, reflecting a strong commitment to public history. His recent works include Nether World: Crime and the Police Courts in Victorian London (2024) and Prosecuting Homicide in Eighteenth-Century Law and Practice (2020). His research consistently bridges academic scholarship with media engagement, as seen in his frequent contributions to podcasts and press commentary.

His scientific engagement includes participation in podcasts and seminars, such as the Shelf Concerns podcast (2020) and a seminar on the Regent's Park murder (2010). He actively supervises PhD students and promotes public dialogue on criminal justice, often questioning mainstream assumptions—such as in his 2024 piece arguing that 'Prisons don’t work.'

Drew Gray is a key figure in public history initiatives at the University of Northampton, leading projects that connect historical scholarship with community and media engagement. His work contributes to broader societal conversations on justice, memory, and the power of historical narrative.