Brian Elliott is a highly experienced local author and editor. He was born in Royston, Barnsley, and spent most of his childhood in the nearby mining community of Carlton. His father was a miner, so were his uncles, paternal grandfather and great grandfather. In 1991, he was awarded a Master of Philosophy degree by the University of Sheffield for his research on Barnsley and its hinterland. His knowledge and enthusiasm for local and family history has encouraged contributors from a wide variety of backgrounds to write features for the Aspects Series, which has resulted in this unique, highly accessible range of books. Brain has now published more than twenty books on local history and after retiring from his post at Rother Valley College is now pursuing his career as a full-time editor and freelance writer, with a special interest in former coal mining communities. Brian is married, has two children and lives in Warmsworth, near Doncaster.