Ivan Bunn

In 1982 he spent a short spell lecturing at the University of California, Irvine at the invitation of the late Gilbert Geis, Emeritus Professor of Criminology while working in conjunction with Prof Geis on what would be their major joint publication “A Trial of Witches” an in-depth study of Lowestoft’s infamous witch trial of 1662.  Much of Ivan’s general historical research has centred on the witch trials of the 17th century both in England and New England.

 In 1997 he was awarded a Certificate in English Local Studies  from the UEA.

Ivan has also written and published a number of  books including a comprehensive collection of local ghost stories and legends which, since its first publication in 1975, is now in its 4th edition.  Other publications include a biography of  the 19th century “King of the Gypsies”, George Borrow, who, lived in Great Yarmouth in the 1850s.  He has also written and had published numerous articles in many magazines as diverse as “19th Century Prose” published by the University of  Colorado, “Transactions of the English Ceramic Circle” and “The Encyclopaedia  of Witchcraft”.

He has been an historical advisor for a number of television programmes and has appeared in the Animal X segment about phantom Black Dogs for WTN. In 2000, he was adviser for and appeared in the documentary "Witchfinders" on Channel 4.  Other appearances have been in the documentaries “Bloody Britain”; the 4th episode of Yesterday TV Series “Inquisition”; In 2015 he appeared opposite John Humphrys in a Panorama General Election special looking at hope in Lowestoft.  In 2019  he appeared as a guest in an episode of BBC’s “Antiques Road Trip” featuring Lowestoft Porcelain.

Ivan is also fascinated by and enjoys folk songs and music, particularly those with a nautical flavour.

Ivan, who likes to travel, still lives in Lowestoft with his wife and two cats. Until January last year he worked at Lowestoft Branch of the Suffolk Record Office as a Research Assistant and Archivist.  He has now retired  but continues to take an active role in various local history projects.