The book cover for Belfastmen: An Intimate History of Life before Gay Liberation. It shows two men sat on a bench in the 1930s.

"Belfastmen: An Intimate History of Life before Gay Liberation" is published TODAY by @cornellupress.bsky.social! I tell the story of how queer men didn't just exist in Belfast but could be accepted by friends, family & colleagues... at least until a moral panic about homosexuality in the 1950s. 🧵

Black and white photograph of a Victorian man.

English physician, anaesthetist, and epidemiologist John Snow was born on this day in 1813. Snow is best remembered for tracing a cholera outbreak in Soho to the water in the Broadstreet Pump

IAS Book Launch: The Cambridge Urban History of Europe We are pleased to host the international launch of this three-volume urban history of Europe - from ancient to contemporary times - and to welcome the editors and many of the contributors.

International launch of the Cambridge Urban History of Europe

Ft. our own Roey Sweet in conversation with the series editors Maarten Prak, Penelope Davies, Christina Williamson, Patrick Lantschner, Dorothee Brantz & Gábor Sonkoly

🗓️ 27 March 2026
⏰ 6:15 pm–8:15 pm
📍 @ucl-ias.bsky.social

Correction: The story is set in the 15C only, not 16C

And I learned that the original manga was awarded a prize by the History of Science Society of Japan in 2023 for 'raising interest in not only the history of astronomy but also the history of science,' even though it didn't aim to be historically accurate. Interesting example of manga as outreach.

Watch Orb: On the Movements of the Earth | Netflix After learning heretical teachings about the Earth and the Sun, a child prodigy searches for his master's hidden research while evading the Inquisition.

While I was ill last month I watched a fascinating anime series 'Orb: On the Movements of the Earth' about attempts to advance and preserve the idea of heliocentrism in 15–16C Europe. www.netflix.com/title/81765022

I watched the show that night. I'm not saying I fully support RBO's decision this time, but I admire Richard Hetherington's courage in taking on such a difficult task under extreme circumstances.

‘Almost unheard of’: experts find more music by English composer Henry Purcell Printed score and keyboard manuscript by Purcell, who died in 1695, unearthed in Worcestershire and Norfolk

'A team of musicologists has unearthed the printed score of a previously unknown Purcell song, as well as the original manuscript for various keyboard compositions, partly in the composer’s own hand – the first Purcell autograph to be found for more than 30 years.' 1/3

Front cover - white text on green background reads: The Modern British City 1945-2000. Edited by Simon Gunn, Peter Mandler and Otto Saumarez Smith. Photo on cover depicts twe semi-detached (possibly formerly terraced) houses on a street corner in front of the modernist Park Hill estate in Sheffield.

"Our purpose in The Modern British City is not merely to describe urban change but to explain why British cities, in all their extraordinary multifariousness, look and feel the way they do today"

Really excited for this expansive new book coming out in November www.lundhumphries.com/blogs/featur...

I'm really thankful for the opportunity to present my work and listen to such engaging talks!

The programme for our new biennial conference, held at the University of Leicester from 4th to 5th September 2025 is now available: urbanhistorygroup.wordpress.com/wp-content/u...

We’ve launched a new collection of openly accessible videos, Interviews with Historians, in which prominent 20th century historians reflect on their lives and professional practices. Access the collection here:
www.history.ac.uk/library-digi...

Saw 'Itch' at Opera Holland Park. I was fascinated by the creative set modelled on the periodic table, which functioned as a screen, a doorway, and stairs. Brilliant production.