Mark was born in Middlesex in 1963 and was brought up in Wales, Worcester and Leighton Buzzard. He obtained his BA (Hons) in philosophy and literature at Essex University in 1985 and his MA in Information Studies in 1993 at the University of North London. He was employed as a Technical Librarian at the British Standards Institution where he worked from 1989-2001. Mark is now Departmental Librarian at the Institute of Astronomy, University of Cambridge. In 1994 Mark joined Milton Keynes Astronomical Society (MKAS) where he has been active both on the committee and in giving talks.
At different times he has held the positions of Librarian, Secretary and Vice Chairman. Talks he has given include "The story of star names", "The Zodiac", "Radio astronomy" and "The history of the Almagest".
Mark's interests include the history of astronomy and cultural astronomy. He acts as Archivist to the Society for the History of Astronomy. He owns a Siberia 110 telescope, which has travelled with him to various MKAS observing weekends around the UK.
To book a talk for your society, please ring Mark on 01954 715788, or write to: Mark Hurn, 6, Apley Way, Lower Cambourne, Cambridgeshire, CB23 6DF. 
Mark is particularly interested in the Middle East, not least because of its associations with the history of astronomy. He visited Jordan in 2000 where he experienced his first camel ride.