Self-taught historian is changing what Leeds knows about its past

As part of the Yorkshire Evening Post's new Heritage Heroes series we're recognising those who are keeping the city's stories alive for future generations.

- by Nina Swift

Today we speak to Danny Friar - he's a researcher, writer and historian who focuses on local black and Asian history prior to the 1950s.As a child growing up in Leeds, Danny Friar would sometimes spend his bus fare on history books instead

"We never had loads of money. We were a working-class family, and I'm proud of that. It's made me who I am," he said.

History, however, didn't always feel like it was made for people like him.

He said: "The people in the history books, kings, queens, prime ministers, they weren't relatable to me as a working-class lad.

"And nobody really explained what kind of career you could have in history or heritage."

Danny, who lives in Armley, didn't take history at GCSE.

"It just felt pointless at the time," he admitted.

"I remember thinking, what job does this actually lead to? In a way, I felt like the education system failed me a little bit - but I wasn't willing to fail myself."

Everything he knows about research, archives and storytelling, he has taught himself. Now 39, Danny is a Leeds-based researcher, writer and historian who focuses on local black and Asian history prior to the 1950s.

His work challenges the idea that diversity is a recent chapter in the city's story, and instead reveals a shared, working-class past that stretches back centuries.

He said: "I've always loved history. As a child, I spent a lot of time in museums, and I still do."

His first publications weren't about Leeds at all. Danny began by writing about the Beatles, becoming a published writer at 24 in the British Beatles Fan Club magazine.

He went on to write articles marking the 50th anniversary of the band's UK tours, including a piece for the Yorkshire Evening Post.