About
Geraldine Roberts is an author and historian specialising in the Regency era. Her books are meticulously researched from original letters and diaries, focusing on the achievements of real women and the complex dynamics within their marriages. Her first book, The Angel and the Cad, is published by MacMillan, and is an Amazon #1 bestseller. Her new release, The Rebel and the Peacemaker, will be published worldwide by Canelo in June 2026.
Geraldine grew up in East London, and worked in a bank for many years, before following her dream to be a writer. In 2010, she obtained a Master’s Degree in History (with distinction) from Queen Mary University of London, followed by a Foundation in Performing Arts from The City Literature Institute (City Lit). She has written several short plays and is a member of a theatre improvisation group that meets once a week to create scenes and sketches.
What is the messaging behind your latest book The Rebel and the Peacemaker?
Nations today spend huge amounts on military training, weapons and warfare. Mary and Charles Bagot’s story underlines the power of diplomacy, showing how it can be harnessed to cultivate understanding and foster peace. I hope it will inspire a greater focus on mediation in our war-torn world.
How did the idea for your book originate?
I was sifting through a box of old letters, when I found one written by Mary Bagot in 1808, where she told her brother, ‘your superior officers have the right to take the piss out of you’. I was amused by this thinking – well, that’s rude, and it’s exactly what I would say to my brother. I felt a connection to Mary, and was eager to learn more. Further investigations revealed that she was a trailblazer on many levels, and I felt a compelling urge to tell her story.
How long did it take to write this book?
I worked on this book for around eight years. I was granted special access to the Bagot family archive, where I reviewed thousands of letters written by Charles, plus Mary’s diary. Researching was a huge task, but also very rewarding. The Bagots tell a deeply human story about the challenges of love, marriage and parenting, as they worked together to do ‘good’ in the world.
Can we truly relate to people who lived so long ago?
Yes, absolutely. Even though Mary and Charles Bagot were born in the 18th century, their concerns really resonated with me. Their experiences of growing up in London were similar to my own as they partied hard, worried about their futures, struggled to get on the property ladder and endeavoured to find their place in the world. Their anxieties are universal, echoing down through history.
Q&A - The Rebel and the Peacemaker
Geraldine’s research
