Anthony Babington (author)

Anthony Babington (1920 – 2004) was a British barrister and author, known primarily for his meticulously researched and engagingly written historical works, often focusing on legal history, espionage, and military intelligence during the 20th century.

Babington was educated at Ampleforth College and Trinity College, Cambridge, before being called to the Bar at Gray's Inn. He served during World War II in the Royal Artillery. After the war, he pursued a career in law but eventually devoted himself to writing.

His notable works include:

• A House in Bow Street: Crime and the Magistracy, London 1740-1914 (1969)
• For the Sake of Example: Capital Courts-Martial, 1914-1918 (1983), an examination of military justice and executions during the First World War.
• The English Bastille: A History of Newgate Prison, 1188-1902 (1971)
• More Spies for Hitler (1986)
• Coventry: The Untold Story (2000), re-examining the events surrounding the bombing of Coventry in 1940.

Babington's writing is characterized by its thorough research, often drawing upon primary sources such as court records, government documents, and personal letters. He presented complex historical events in a clear and accessible manner, making his work popular with both academic and general audiences. His books are valued for their insights into the social, political, and legal aspects of the periods he studied.