Jessie Childs was born in 1976 and educated at West Heath and Stowe School. She took a first in history at Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1999 and has worked in television as a researcher of historical documentaries. Her first book, Henry VIII's Last Victim, a biography of the poet and courtier Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was published by Jonathan Cape in October 2006.

Her proposal for the book was a runner-up in the 2001 Biographers' Club Prize. Her next book will tell the story of the persecuted Catholics in the reign of Elizabeth I. She lives in London and her agent is Andrew Lownie.

Agent: Andrew Lownie

Email: lownie@globalnet.co.uk

Website: www.jessiechilds.com