Matt Houlbrook
Professor of Cultural History at the University of Birmingham and author of Songs of Seven Dials: An Intimate History of 1920s and 1930s London (Manchester UP, 2025), specializing in London cultural and urban history.
Top 3 podcasts with Matt Houlbrook
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Dec 2, 2025 • 53min
Matt Houlbrook, "Songs of Seven Dials: An Intimate History of 1920s and 1930s London" (Manchester UP, 2025)
Matt Houlbrook, a Professor of Cultural History at the University of Birmingham, discusses his book focusing on Seven Dials, a vibrant yet contested area of London during the 1920s and 1930s. He details a pivotal libel trial involving a local café that highlights struggles around urban development and racial narratives. Topics include the shifting meanings of space, media portrayals of the area as a 'black colony', and the clash between gentrification ambitions and community resistance. Houlbrook's insights reveal how historical tensions continue to shape contemporary London.
Dec 2, 2025 • 53min
Matt Houlbrook, "Songs of Seven Dials: An Intimate History of 1920s and 1930s London" (Manchester UP, 2025)
Matt Houlbrook, a Professor of Cultural History at the University of Birmingham and author, dives into the rich tapestry of 1920s and 1930s London, focusing on Seven Dials. He unpacks its journey from a planned development to a notorious slum, centered around a significant libel trial involving a local café. Houlbrook discusses the media's role in racializing the area, the pressures of gentrification, and the ongoing challenges of preserving its history amidst rapid change, revealing how the struggles of the past still resonate today.
Jul 13, 2024 • 42min
Matt Houlbrook et al., "Men and Masculinities in Modern Britain: A History for the Present" (Manchester UP, 2024)
Listen to a discussion with Matt Houlbrook, Katie Jones, and Ben Mechen as they delve into the history of men and masculinities in modern Britain. Topics include the intersection of state bureaucracy and masculinity, narratives of masculinity in Sheffield and Liverpool, and reflective moments on masculinity in the historical profession. Discover how historical research can provide insights into understanding contemporary society.
