Simon Schama is University Professor of Art History and History at Columbia University in New York.

He first gained public attention for his 15-part BBC series A History Of Britain, which won him the 2001 Voice of the Listener and Viewer Awards for best television contributor and best television series. He has also written and presented more than 30 documentaries on art and history for the BBC. Though his presentational style is storytelling rather than action, he has won much acclaim for being able to convey traditionally dry subjects in an engaging and original way.