The world of books and art, 1789 – 1914
The artist behind both these paintings - John Everett Millais - was a child art prodigy, and in his late teens co-founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. The PRB was founded at his family home in London - [then] 83 Gower Street, Bloomsbury, London. I worked nearby at 82 Gower Street for about 18 months, and many... Continue Reading →
The Victorian sporting calendar in pictures.
Arguably the Victorians invented modern sport, or at least codified it. Inevitably that enthusiasm was reflected in their art. Fishing, hunting, racing and shooting even had their own schools of painters. Going North, King's Cross Station (1893) by George Earl (English artist, lived 1824–1908). National Railway Museum. This painting shows King's Cross Station (think Harry... Continue Reading →
Book review – When the World Screamed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Professor Challenger #4). 1928. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is famous for his Sherlock Holmes stories, but did you know that he created a series of stories for another eccentric genius, Professor George Edward Challenger? There are five Challenger stories in total, this is... Continue Reading →
Don't look yet - have a try first! Answers: Napoléon Bonaparte (1769 – 1821) Jane Austen (1775 – 1817) Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 – 1864) Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806 – 1861) Margaret Fuller (1810 – 1850) Gustave Flaubert (1821 – 1880) Mark Twain (1835 – 1910) Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) Not easy - how many... Continue Reading →
Can you identify the above quotes about reading? Need some clues? Read on. [Warning – clue below] To help you here is a list of the authors responsible for the quotes –the list is presented in chronological order by birth. Napoléon Bonaparte (1769 - 1821) Jane Austen (1775 - 1817) Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804 - 1864)... Continue Reading →
Could this be the first "selfie" in history? It is an 1839 self portrait of Robert Cornelius (1809 –1893). On the reverse of the photo it reads 'The first light picture ever taken'. What pose would you assume if you thought that posterity might stare back at you for eons into the future? Cornelius was... Continue Reading →
The Long Victorian 