Category Archives: History

Dear George Orwell

Posted on June 1, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The British Library has just released over 300 literary treasures relating to 20th century writers available online for the first time. The amazing collection includes literary drafts, rare first editions, notebooks, letters, diaries, newspapers and photographs from James Joyce, Virginia … Continue reading →

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Geek Out Bibliophiles

Posted on May 28, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

This fascinating video from the Crandall Historical Printing Museum in Provo, Utah, demonstrates their rare functioning Gutenberg press.

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Shakespeare Lives

Posted on May 20, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The British Council commissioned a series of films to celebrate the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death. Director David Wilson’s contribution reinterprets Act 1, Scene V of Macbeth. The two-minute film starts with actress Vicky McClure as Lady Macbeth in … Continue reading →

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It’s Museum Day

Posted on May 17, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Tomorrow is actually museum day. In fact May 18th is the 39th International Museum Day. More than 30,000 institutions in 120 countries around the world will be waiving admission fees and welcoming all comers for special events, shows and exhibitions. … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Architecture, Art, Asia, Europe, History, Middle East, Museums, Photography, South America, Tourism, USA | Tagged | Leave a comment

Night at the Museum

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

On Saturday May 21st, more than 3,000 museums will participate in the annual European Museum Night event. Every year since 2005, museums throughout Europe have opened their galleries from sunset until 1 AM for free visits and special activities.

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Game of Manuscripts

Posted on April 27, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

The medievalists at the J.Paul Getty Museum put together the video below to celebrate the new season of Game of Thrones. That’s some superfans.

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Would Harry Beck Approve ?

Posted on April 22, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

Literary map geeks rejoice—TfL has released a Shakespeare-themed Underground map just in time to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the bard’s passing tomorrow. The Tube lines have been cleverly renamed for Shakespearean characters, locations, plays, and themes. The map will … Continue reading →

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Useful & Beautiful

Posted on April 11, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

 

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Windows on History

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

I’m a sucker for “then & now” photo mash-ups like this wonderful series of Parisian scenes. These images of Paris, all taken between 1871 and 1968, were then re-photographed at the exact spot and from the same angle. The series … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, History, Photography, Tourism | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Painting With Light

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Brian D. Butler

For 2,000 years the Temple of Dendur sat on the banks of the River Nile. In 1965, the government of Egypt gifted the Temple ruins to the United States and in 1978 it was rebuilt in the Sackler Wing of … Continue reading →

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