Midland Daily Telegraph writer, 'Historian'

I am amazed at what members can do with their researches. A challenge! I have been stuck for a decade with the following problem:- Does anyone know the name of the journalist at the Midland Daily Telegraph who used to write under the pseudonym "Historian" in the 1920s - 30s. Each week he wrote a short column about historical events in the city, some of which happened on an equivalent date in previous years. Sometimes, as in the case of Coventry Godiva Harriers, he wrote several articles over a period of years. I don't know what his particular expertise was, but he had the habit of putting a 'modern' interpretation on historical events concerning the club and embroidering 'facts' from one report to the next published article, clearly not understanding the connotations of words specific to the harrier sport. A nice example is the Victorian running vest becoming 'jersey' then a 'woolly jumper'. I assume he was a male because I was told he also used to write the weekly review for the rugby [union] column.

It seems an obvious suggestion, but have you tried contacting The Coventry Telegraph - wouldn't they have some sort of records of previous journalists who wrote for the original paper?

They would, but in my experience getting one of their employees to actually dig them out is near impossible!

' .... records destroyed in the Blitz' is the best I have managed in the past! Thanks for the suggestion anyway