About Dilip Sarkar

On November 12th, 1940, Britain’s wartime Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, said:

“History with its flickering lamp stumbles along the trail of the past,
Trying to reconstruct its scenes, to revive its echoes,
And kindle with pale gleams the passion of former days.”

These stirring words perfectly capture the essence of why Dilip Sarkar is so passionate about history. His first book was released in 1990, following numerous magazine articles, since when, at the time of writing, his list now totals twenty-nine full-length works. In addition to being extensively published on the Battle of Britain, fighter pilots and the Spitfire aircraft, his works also include titles on both the British Army and Royal Navy in World War Two, and, indeed, the English Civil War. He is currently researching a new work connected with the Wars of the Roses, and is rightly described, therefore, as both ‘prolific’ and ‘multi-dimensional’.

In 2003, Dilip was made an MBE for services to aviation history, and was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Historical Society, in recognition of the original contribution he has made to the scholarship, in 2006. In 2010, he graduated from the University of Worcester with First Class Honours in History. After teaching ‘A’-Level Modern History part-time at Worcester Sixth Form College, Dilip is now reading for his PhD at the University of Worcester, Dilip's chosen area of work being ‘Supermarine Spitfire "Legend" in British Popular Culture 1936 - 2011’. This represents the first scholarly attempt to contextualise the Spitfire in cultural history from creation to the present day. In addition to considering the design and operational history of the Spitfire, Dilip’s thesis will draw upon current intellectual thought concerning mythicisation, heritage, propaganda, nostalgia and national pride. Ultimately the intention is to provide a lasting benchmark in Spitfire historiography.

Dilip currently writes for Amberley Publishing, owned by well-known publisher Alan Sutton, and additionally works full-time as a consultant to television documentary makers and on other historical projects. Further information on Dilip’s publications and areas of expertise can be found elsewhere on this site.

Forthcoming new Book - Dilip's long awaited Johnnie Johnson Biography - Spitfire Ace of Aces

Have a look at a recent article, about Dilip, in the Worcester News.

Married to Karen, an artist (www.karensarkarart.com), Dilip lives in Worcester.

Karen Sarkar’s portrait of her husband, the inspired historian Dilip Sarkar.
Karen invites commissions and further information can be found at www.karensarkarart.com