Steven John Dickens has a BA. Hons in History (Sheffield University) and an MA in Twentieth Century History (Liverpool University) and is a retired charge nurse and college lecturer. He has always had an interest in local history and social history and has also lectured on the history of the NHS. He has previously written for several local history publications, genealogy journals and magazines. These include The Manchester Genealogist; The Journal of the Altrincham History Society; and Newsletter of the Cumbria Family History Society. He has contributed articles for publication on the website of the Manchester and Lancashire Family History Society and has also contributed to the archives of the Trafford Park Heritage Centre and the Jenner Trust Archive, in Gloucestershire. Steven lives in Flixton, near Manchester and is married to Sarah. He retired in order to care for their eldest son, who is disabled.

They have three sons and three daughters.