Touching Parchment: Volume 1: Officials and Their Books

Smuggling Under the Cover of Plague JamesHoare Thu, 05/15/2025 - 08:59

William Still (1819-1902) was an African American abolitionist known as the "Father of the Underground Railroad" for his efforts in helping to free between 600 to 800 people from slavery. Born the son

Martin Crusius’ Armchair Voyage JamesHoare Wed, 05/14/2025 - 10:36

While Cleopatra is one of the most famous women in history, there are many myths and misconceptions about her life. This book tells the true story of Cleopatras life and explains popular misconception

Slaveholders in the United States frequently claimed that Blacks were 'happy' to be slaves and could, in no way, function as free people as they would find freedom 'burdensome' a claim fully articulat

Ben Jonson (1572-1637) was an English poet, playwright, and literary critic, whose influence on English Renaissance literature during the Jacobean Era (1603-1625) has been regarded as second only to t

‘Liverpool and the Unmaking of Britain’ by Sam Wetherell review JamesHoare Tue, 05/13/2025 - 07:58

Many enslaved African Americans in the United States escaped bondage with the help of the Underground Railroad, but many others took it upon themselves to seize their freedom without assistance and, a

On the Spot: Vladislav Zubok JamesHoare Mon, 05/12/2025 - 09:13

Anna Maria Weems (circa 1840 to circa 1863) was an enslaved African American woman in Rockville, Maryland, who escaped by posing as a young Black livery man and carriage driver, assisted by the Underg

As You Like It is a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), written in 1599 and likely first performed that same year. Indeed, it is thought to be the inaugural show performed by Shakespea

In 1848, Ellen and William Craft escaped from slavery in Georgia by Ellen posing as a Southern gentleman and William as 'his' slave (since women were not allowed to travel alone with a male slave). Th

The Tragedy of Richard III, often referred to as simply Richard III, is a history play by William Shakespeare (1564-1616), probably written around 1592-94. It is the fourth and final installment of th

The Hidden Death in the Victorian Wallpaper JamesHoare Wed, 05/07/2025 - 08:50

Solomon Northup (circa 1807/1808 to circa 1857/1864) was a free-born African American living in New York State when he was kidnapped in 1841 and sold into slavery. Northup was held in bondage for 12 y

The Otsu Incident JamesHoare Tue, 05/06/2025 - 08:56

The Immortal Ten were a group of abolitionists from Kansas Territory (where slavery was hotly contested) who slipped across the Missouri River into St. Joseph, Missouri (a slave state) and, on 23 July

The Eastern Front (1941-5), called the Western Front or Great Patriotic War by the Soviets, was by far the bloodiest of the Second World War (1939-45). In this article, the memories of those who exper