Arthur Raymond Hibbert, widely known as Christopher Hibbert, was born in Leicestershire in 1924. After his education at Radley College and Oriel College, Oxford, he served as an infantry officer during World War II, where he was twice wounded and received the Military Cross. Following his military service, he became a partner in a land agency firm, a role he held until 1959. It was in 1957 that he commenced his writing career, eventually earning recognition for his contributions to popular history.

Hibbert was celebrated for his ability to engage a broad readership, with The Times describing him as "probably the most widely-read popular historian of our time and undoubtedly one of the most prolific." The New Statesman referred to him as "a pearl of biographers." He was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and received the Heinemann Award for Literature in 1962 for his book 'The Destruction of Lord Raglan'. Hibbert resided in Henley-on-Thames and passed away in 2008 at the age of 84. He was survived by his wife Susan and their three children.

Born Arthur Raymond Hibbert in 1924, he was the son of Canon H. V. Hibbert and Maude Hibbert. He received his education at Radley College and Oriel College, Oxford, where he earned BA and MA degrees. His time at Oxford was interrupted when he joined the Army. During his service as an infantry officer in the London Irish Rifles regiment in Italy in World War II, he earned the nickname "Christopher" from a sergeant major due to his youthful appearance. He attained the rank of captain, was injured on two occasions, and was awarded the Military Cross in 1945.

After his military service, Hibbert engaged in business, working as a partner in a land agency and auctioneering firm from 1945 to 1959. He began his prolific writing career in 1957. His work gained significant acclaim, with The Times noting him as "probably the most widely-read popular historian of our time and undoubtedly one of the most prolific," and the New Statesman calling him "a pearl of biographers." He was honored with the Heinemann Award for Literature in 1962 for 'The Destruction of Lord Raglan' and held the distinction of being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

Christopher Hibbert lived in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. He was a member of esteemed clubs such as the Army and Navy Club and the Garrick Club. He was married to Susan Piggford, and they had three children: Kate, Jimmy, and Tom Hibbert, who pursued careers in literary executorship, television writing, and music journalism, respectively. Hibbert died in December 2008 at the age of 84 from bronchial pneumonia. A humanist ceremony was held for him in Oxford before his cremation.

“a pearl of biographers”

“probably the most widely-read popular historian of our time and undoubtedly one of the most prolific”