Independent historical research
History that illuminates, research that delivers
Archival and historiographical research, fact-checking, writing, proofreading and on-camera commentary — for authors, broadcasters, agencies, academics and private clients. Projects of any size.
“Immensely professional, knowledgeable and has a keen eye for detail.”
Sophy Roberts, author of The Lost Pianos of Siberia
What History Box offers
Research tailored to your needs
Based in London, with direct access to the city’s libraries and archives, and able to travel for county, parish and overseas collections.
01
Archival research
Primary-source research in national, county, parish and corporate archives, delivered as clear, referenced findings.
02
Historiographical research
Surveys of what historians have written on a subject — the key debates, sources and interpretations — summarised for specialists and non-specialists alike.
03
Oral history
Interviews and testimony gathered, recorded and set in their historical context.
04
History writing
Accurate, engaging historical content for individuals, press, brands, websites, exhibitions and educational audiences.
05
Fact-checking
Careful verification of books, scripts and articles, with attention to names, dates, transliteration and sensitive material.
06
On-camera commentary
Research and “talking head” contributions for television and documentary productions.
07
Proofreading and copy-editing
Proofreading and copy-editing for academic and non-academic texts, including book and article drafts, website copy, articles and commercial copy.
08
Writing
Writing for businesses and individuals, including commercial copy, descriptive writing and art writing.
About Dr Ariane Galy
Research you can trust
Her research background is in Soviet history — in particular Stalinism, Western perceptions of Stalin and his regime, and the idea of the Russian “other” — but through History Box she researches a wide range of periods and subjects. She taught European history from 1500 to 1991 at the University of Edinburgh for four years and was nominated for an Edinburgh University Students’ Association Teaching Award.
An independent historian with more than fifteen years of research experience, Ariane founded History Box to bring academic rigour to clients well beyond the university.
She has presented to specialist and general audiences and appeared on screen as a historical commentator. A native speaker of both English and French, she is based in London and travels wherever the archives are.
Work with Dr Galy15+
Years of research
12
Years of History Box
4
Years teaching at the University of Edinburgh
EN · FR
Native languages
Education · University of Edinburgh
- PhD in History
- MSc by Research (Distinction)
- MA (Hons) in History
Professional development
Currently working towards Archive and Records Management accreditation (ARA)
Selected work
Portfolio
Publishing · Fact-checking
The Lost Pianos of Siberia
Checked the Russian and Soviet history in Sophy Roberts’ book, advised on sensitive material and standardised the transliteration of names and places.
Television · Documentary
Definition Media
Researched a twentieth-century documentary and appeared on camera as a presenter. Broadcast across Europe in autumn 2015.
Branding · Heritage
Designbridge
Uncovered a client’s nineteenth-century history in London archives to inform its rebrand, working alongside the agency’s creative team.
Branding · Heritage
Turner Duckworth
Traced the history of a country house through London, county and parish archives to support its launch as a new business.
Art · Writing
Cristina Rodriguez
An ongoing, long-term project creating a living archive of Cristina Rodriguez’s work through writing and audio.
Private client · Translation
French archival research
Researched and translated French sources on nineteenth-century French and British history, with English-language reading suggestions.
Fees & how it works
Clear terms, agreed up front
Research & writing
Charged by the hour (minimum three hours) or at a flat daily rate — the most appropriate rate for your project will be discussed at your initial consultation.
Proofreading
Priced per 1,000 words, depending on the nature and complexity of the text.
£15–£35 per 1,000 words
- I. Tell me about your project Share your brief, timescale and the questions you need answered.
- II. Agree scope and rate We settle the approach, the fee basis and the terms before work begins.
- III. Research and delivery Findings delivered clearly, fully referenced and on deadline.
Client testimonials
Trusted by academics, broadcasters & businesses
Ariane Galy is a first-rate historian. She is a very perceptive and industrious researcher and a shrewd analyst of historical material. I am very familiar with her work and have been highly impressed by it.
When the time came to update my biography, the only person I knew to be capable of taking on such a huge task was Dr. Ariane Galy. She has done the most amazing work. She is an incredible professional, so intelligent, so cultivated, so patient, with so much human empathy. I was utterly delighted with, and utterly grateful for, the work she did for me. I also asked her to write small essays about the paintings that have most touched her heart and she has written beautiful pieces, full of poetry and warmth. My respect and my admiration for her keeps growing daily. Thank you, Ariane!
We interviewed Dr Ariane Galy for our documentary series, ‘Wicked Inventions’. She was very knowledgeable across a wide and diverse range of subjects. It was a pleasure to work with her: she had prepared thoroughly and was easy to work with. She gave just the right level of detail in her answers, coming across with authority in an engaging way – perfect for television!
History Box proofreading is an excellent, high quality service, which I can’t recommend highly enough. The fact that this is done by a highly qualified, professional historian makes it ever more valuable than simply a proofreading exercise. I recommend History Box to anyone who is looking for thorough, professional and insightful proofreading of their academic, or indeed any other, work.
Ariane is a skilled, dedicated, perceptive and imaginative historian. Having worked with her for several years, I can attest to her abilities. She is a disciplined, methodical and hard-working researcher who writes stylishly, elegantly and concisely. I thoroughly recommend her.
Ariane contributed a concise history of Russia for children to our website. This not only demonstrated her flexibility and good nature – she swallowed hard when asked to put all that information into two webpages, and make it interesting for 10 year olds – but also her professionalism. She was wonderful to work with: kept all her deadlines, produced interesting and colourful copy, was very patient with our requests, and good-humoured throughout. Very many thanks Ariane!
Ariane is immensely professional, knowledgeable and has a keen eye for detail. Her balanced approach towards historical interpretation created compelling discussion points as I moved towards a final draft. I was grateful for her sensitivity towards nuance, and the conundrums of transliteration. She was a joy to work with and hit deadlines with a trustworthy efficiency.
Dr Galy is a gifted and imaginative researcher who can be relied upon to complete a given task in a comprehensive and thorough manner. She writes clearly and concisely. I have no hesitation in recommending her services.
Get in touch
Start your project
Whether you have a clear brief or just a question, get in touch to discuss how History Box can help.
arianegaly@hotmail.com · London, available to travel
