Tim Butcher is a highly acclaimed British author, journalist, and broadcaster, born in 1967. From 1990 to 2009, he worked as a staff writer for The Daily Telegraph, covering conflicts in various regions, including the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa. His expertise and bravery in reporting from dangerous regions have earned him recognition and awards, such as an honorary doctorate in 2010 for his contributions to writing and the Mungo Park Medal for exploration from the Royal Scottish Geographical Society.
Butcher is best known for his debut novel, "Blood River: A Journey To Africa's Broken Heart," which recounts his daring journey across the Congo. This work aimed to shed light on the region's turbulent history, and it quickly became a bestseller, earning praise from critics and readers alike. The book was translated into six languages and topped the Sunday Times best-seller list in Britain, in addition to being shortlisted for several awards.
In his subsequent works, Butcher has continued to combine history with travel, producing captivating narratives that showcase his skills as an explorer and storyteller. His book "The Trigger" delves into the story of Gavrilo Princip, the young man responsible for sparking the First World War by assassinating Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. To retrace Princip's footsteps, Butcher embarked on a trek through Bosnia and Serbia, uncovering historical details that had eluded historians for a century.
Another notable work by Tim Butcher is "Chasing The Devil," which follows a 350-mile journey through Liberia in the footsteps of Graham Greene, who had traveled the same path in 1935. During his journey, Butcher discovered that Greene's life had been saved by his cousin, Barbara Greene, an unsung heroine in Greene's life. This book was longlisted for the George Orwell Prize.
As a former foreign correspondent with The Daily Telegraph, Tim Butcher gained extensive experience in reporting from challenging environments, such as Kurdistan, Sarajevo, Iraq, and Israel. His remarkable career and contributions to literature have been recognized with various awards, including the Mungo Park Medal for exploration and an honorary doctorate. Currently, he resides in Cape Town, South Africa, with his family.