Richard Garcia

Richard Garcia, a retired Chief Secretary of the Government of Gibraltar, is better known today as an author and as a presenter and writer of popular television documentaries on Gibraltar’s social history.

His books on the postal history and philately of Gibraltar and the period when the British postal service in Morocco was run by Gibraltar have won international awards and are generally considered the standard works in the field.

He has published over 20 books including:

• a trilogy on the social history of Gibraltar in the 18th century, something hitherto never attempted;

• the history of some leading families in Gibraltar and their businesses, including the international firms Gibunco and Saccone and Speed; the Alwani family and the development of the Gibraltarian community of Indian ancestry; the philanthropist and entrepreneur John Mackintosh; and the first Gibraltarian titular Bishop of Gibraltar, Mgr Edward Rapallo;

• illustrated books on Victorian and Edwardian Gibraltar, the changing face of Gibraltar in the 20th century, and picture postcards of Gibraltar;

• an account of the Fire and Rescue Service, from its inception in 1865; of the Gibraltar Savings Bank, from its foundation in 1882; and of Gibraltar’s currency, coinage and banknotes, from 1704;

• a monograph on George Borrow in Gibraltar in 1830.