Draft:Dean Colin Allen

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Declined by NiftyyyNofteeeee 13 days ago. Last edited by NiftyyyNofteeeee 13 days ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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Dean Colin Allen (born July 1, 1971) is a British author^[1], historian, keynote speaker and media personality based in South Africa. Known as the “Man Who Brings History to Life”^[2], he is regarded as one of the best speakers in South Africa. He is the author of the best-selling book ‘Empire, War & Cricket in South Africa’^[3] published by Penguin in 2015.

Early Life and Education

Born in Minehead, West Somerset, Dean Allen attended West Somerset College before working for Lloyds Bank and the Somerset Health Authority. His life changed at the age of 26 when he enrolled at Cardiff Metropolitan University (UWIC) to study a BA in Sport Development. The first person in his family to attend university, he went on to finish top of his year group earning the Gwyn Williams Award for Best All-Round Student. He gained a master's degree at the prestigious Stellenbosch University in South Africa (2002) and a PhD from the Chelsea School, Brighton University in 2008.^[2]

Career

An acclaimed international motivational speaker, Dean Allen has been published widely on the history and politics of society throughout the British Empire.^[4] Having taught at universities in South Africa, the UK, Ireland and Australia, he now lives in Cape Town with his wife and young daughter and has travelled Africa extensively. He appears regularly on TV and radio, with appearances including the BBC’s Radio 2 and Test Match Special and TalkSport. He is a columnist for Herald Live and a presenter of the popular ‘Frontier Land’ podcast on Algoa FM. His latest book, ‘The Man Who Changed a Landscape’ focuses on wildlife conservation in South Africa. Dean has presented motivational talks and keynote papers to businesses and on cruise ships around the world.

Books Written

Empire, War & Cricket in South Africa: Logan of Matjiesfontein (2015)^[5]

Frontier Land Vol 1 (2021)^[6]

Frontier Land Vol 2 (2022)^[7]

Frontier Land Vol 3 (2025)^[6]

This Day In History (2021)^[6]

The Man Who Changed a Landscape (2025)^[6]

Awards

African Excellence Awards Winner: Best Author & Keynote Speaker (South Africa) 2023^[8]

South African Chamber of Commerce Innovator of the Year 2023

Longlist Nominee for the 2016 Sunday Times Alan Paton Book of the Year Award (South Africa)^[9]

Finalist for the 2016 Cricket Society and MCC Book of the Year Award (UK)

Shortlisted for the 2016 British Society of Sports History Book of the Year Award (UK)

Shortlisted for 2015 Non-Fiction Book of the Year (South Africa)

References

^ "Dean Colin ALLEN personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ ^a ^b "The man who brings history to life | Political Economy | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ "Empire, War & Cricket with BU's best selling academic". www.bournemouth.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ "Dean Allen". Sports Africa. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ "Empire, War and Cricket". www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "My Books". Dean Allen. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ "My Books". Dean Allen. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ "Dr Dean Allen (2023 Winner: African Excellence Awards)". MEA Markets. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
^ "Alan Paton Award | 2016 | Awards and Honors | LibraryThing". LibraryThing.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[1] "Dean Colin ALLEN personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[:0-2] "The man who brings history to life | Political Economy | thenews.com.pk". www.thenews.com.pk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[3] "Empire, War & Cricket with BU's best selling academic". www.bournemouth.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[4] "Dean Allen". Sports Africa. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[5] "Empire, War and Cricket". www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[:1-6] "My Books". Dean Allen. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[7] "My Books". Dean Allen. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[8] "Dr Dean Allen (2023 Winner: African Excellence Awards)". MEA Markets. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

[9] "Alan Paton Award | 2016 | Awards and Honors | LibraryThing". LibraryThing.com. Retrieved 2025-04-29.

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