There’s a new initiative called World Book Night that allows readers to give away 480,000 books. To join you need to be willing to distribute 24 copies.
I was thinking it would be nice if we could vote for some books that teach history. It would be a shame if some substandard “chewing gum for the brain” book won.
It would be much worse, however, if the winner were one of those dull “classics” that everyone displays but no one reads. Continue reading
Here the Earth, river, &c torn with furious convulsions, opens in huge trenches, whose deep jaws are instantaneously closed; there throws a thousand vents sulphurous streams gushed from its very bowels, leaving a vast and almost unfathomable caverns. – William Leigh Pierce, eyewitness
1812 was a year of science. The discovery of dinosaurs, the electric battery, iodine and many other marvels firmly placed the year within the “Age of Reason.”
Tecumseh, from John Frost's Illustrated Historical Sketches of the Indians
At the same time, new “superstitions” were developing. One of these was helped by three of the most powerful earthquakes America had ever known. Some scientists fear such earthquakes could come again, and this time, the devastation could be much greater. Continue reading
French Theatrical, by Louis, from two old prints
From Shakespearean actor Kenneth Branaugh, to a portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret “Maggie” Thatcher, you’ll see the British flag waving down the aisle at this year’s academy Awards. Again. Yet again.
One starts to wonder if the Americans have a “sense of inferiority” when it comes to the dramatic arts. If so, from whence does this pathetic inferiority complex come? Let’s start in the month of April, 1812. Continue reading
a tale by Candy Korman
The men were celebrating. Pushing the Americans back at Queenston Heights on the Niagara front was, no doubt, a decisive moment in the combat, but there was no telling what turns the war would take. Continue reading
Written by Nigel Lewis-Dawson
Lord George Gordon Byron, by Thomas Phillips
Lord Byron, the English poet, was born George Gordon Byron on the 22nd January 1788. His parents were Captain John Byron, Lord of Rochdale, and Catherine Gordon of Gight. Byron was also to take the name ‘Lord Noel Byron‘ in later life as a condition of an inheritance.
On the 27th of February, 1812, Lord Byron, famous for his poetry and infamous for his relationships and huge debts, rose for the first time to address his peers in the House of Lords, London, England to voice his objections to the Frame Breakers Bill. Continue reading
“A snake of the diamond kind has been lately killed at Blackwattle swamp, the length of which was 10 feet 4 inches, and its largest circumference five inches.” the Sydney Gazette reported on January 4th, 1812.
A woodcutter was going about his business, when he turned around and saw the “monstrous” creature. Naturally the woodcutter was afraid of snakes, so he whacked the animal on the head.
That didn’t stop the snake much, so the woodcutter ran for his life. Continue reading
Time can defeat us in many ways.
A contact of mine is raising money for a documentary about Basque children who escaped to England in 1937. The contact only has a few hours to raise another tens of thousands of pounds for the project, or they risk losing everything.
There are other historical films, however, where time was even more urgent.
7 January 1812 opened the sixth session of the fourth parliament of the United Kingdom.
Significant debates were held concerning constitutional change, including Catholic Emancipation, and changes to Parliament itself. Continue reading
In 1812, London was the world’s financial capital; and “Boldero and Lushington” were one of the biggest and best known financial firms in 19th century London.
National audit Office, London, photographed by the author February 2011
The firm started in 1738, under the name of Thomas Miners. Then, in 1742 it became Miners and Boldero, as Charles Boldero entered the firm. As the Boldero family’s influence in the firm increased, so did its fortunes.
So it was a huge surprise when, on January 2nd 1812, Boldero, Lusington, Boldero and co. stopped payments. Continue reading
Edinburg, Scotland; John Skelton was apprenticed to a gunsmith. He had a big future ahead of him. And he enjoyed the night’s New year’s Eve celebrations.
Metropolitan Police logo on a police station in London.
But Mr. Skelton soon found he was a wanted man. John Skelton was implicated in robbery and the murder of a policeman, with a reward on his head.
The motive? Booty. A black-watch ribbon, a watch-key of gold. With a cornelian stone set in. A silk purse. And a hatred of the police. Continue reading
