Canon Professor Nicholas Orme was born in Bristol and read History at Oxford where his teachers included W. G. Hoskins.

He is Emeritus Professor at the University of Exeter and during his 43 years' service he developed a keen interest in the local area. He was appointed an honorary lay canon of Truro Cathedral in recognition of his work in Cornwall. Now retired, he has returned to live in Oxford but continues to visit Devon and Cornwall on a regular basis.