James Boswell in London: Life on Downing Street
Introduction In the winter of 1762, James Boswell, a twenty-two-year-old law student from Scotland, arrived in London and took lodgings on Downing Street. Years before
Tag: literature
The Beetle – London’s Lost Horror Classic
Introduction Bram Stoker’s Dracula, first published in 1897, is rightfully considered, along with Frankenstein and The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde, to
Crossbones Graveyard: A Brief Historical Overview
Introduction – Medieval Southwark and the Outcast Dead “I have heard of ancient men, of good credit, report, that these single women were forbidden the
Ale, Bread and Pilgrimage: Chaucer’s Southwark and the Appetite for Life
The Canterbury Tales is Geoffrey Chaucer’s most famous work, written in Middle English between 1387 and 1400, and is widely regarded as a cornerstone of
From Libraries to Loaf: A Literary Stroll Through Waterloo
Tucked behind Waterloo Station lies a building with a surprising history — once a free library, now a vibrant community hub. This corner of London
Tea Drinking in English Literature
Tea parties have long been a significant fixture in English literature. As a quintessential British tradition, tea has served as a backdrop for social rituals,
Shakespeare Wasn’t Good Enough
William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated writers in the English language. Born in 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon, he began his career as an actor
The Real Dr Frankenstein?
On 25 April 1801 the 22 year old Humphry Davy delivered his first public lecture at the Royal Institution (RI) in Albemarle Street Mayfair. The
Riceyman Steps
“London is a city that needs, that demands, to be explored on foot.” Geoff Nicholson, The Lost Art of Walking The pace of London and
Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens was the quintessential Victorian author. His epic stories, vivid characters and deeply descriptive depiction of contemporary life are unforgettable. In his second major