Simon Targett (born 1964) is an English historian, lecturer and freelance journalist. He is a former associate editor of the Financial Times. In March 2018 Barnes & Noble included his book New World, Inc.: The Making of America by EnglandâÂÂs Merchant Adventurers, co-written with American business writer John Butman, in its list of best history books of the month.
Targett has a PhD in History from the University of Cambridge.
In 2024 he was elected chair of the Richmond Local History Society in Richmond, London. He has given talks to the society on George Vancouver, on Robert Walpole and on Richmond and MortlakeâÂÂs part in the founding of America and the launching of the British Empire.
Targett lives in St Margarets, London.