Sathnam Sanghera is a British journalist and bestselling author known for his critically acclaimed memoirs and novels exploring themes of identity, family, and British imperialism. His debut memoir, "The Boy With The Topknot: A Memoir of Love, Secrets and Lies in Wolverhampton", was shortlisted for the 2008 Costa Biography Award and named 2009 Mind Book of the Year. His novel "Marriage Material" earned a Costa Book Award nomination and was adapted for television. In 2021, his nonfiction work "Empireland: How Imperialism Has Shaped Modern Britain" became a Sunday Times bestseller and inspired a Channel 4 documentary series.
Born in 1976 to Punjabi parents in the West Midlands, Sanghera graduated with first-class honors in English from Christ’s College, Cambridge, after attending Wolverhampton Grammar School. His writing blends sharp social commentary with personal narrative, often examining multiculturalism and historical legacy with wit and insight. A seasoned journalist, he has contributed to "The Financial Times" and "The Times", winning multiple awards, including Young Journalist of the Year at the 2002 British Press Awards.
Sanghera’s later works include "Stolen History: The Truth about the British Empire and How it Shaped Us", a 2023 children’s book that topped bestseller charts. Recognized for his contributions to literature and journalism, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and the Royal Historical Society. His honors include two honorary doctorates and the 2017 Edgar Wallace Trophy for outstanding writing.