literature Archives

Shakespeare wasn't good enough

The first ever printed reference to William Shakespeare was in a pamphlet against his work! It shows that by 1592 he was already making waves in the theatrical world for his writing and had created green-eyed monsters from other playwrights.

April 16, 2022

Georgian literature Mayfair

The Real Dr Frankenstein?

The scientist who inspired Mary Shelley and the publisher who turned down Frankenstein - All on one Mayfair street.

April 7, 2022

Clerkenwell Islington literature

Exploring London on foot

“London is a city that needs, that demands, to be explored on foot.” - Geoff Nicholson, The Lost Art of Walking

January 27, 2022

literature

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.

January 20, 2022

literature

Follow the Footsteps of Oliver Twist

Many of Dickens’ contemporary critics and reading public feared that novels could be too realistic, and that naïve readers (often female readers) wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between fiction and reality.

January 19, 2022

literature

Characters in Oliver Twist

January 19, 2022

Charles Dickens Christmas literature

Why did Charles Dickens choose the name Ebenezer Scrooge?

Charles Dickens was prompted to write A Christmas Carol as his response to the evident evils of capitalism; but it was also an attempt to pay his ever-increasing unpaid bills.

January 17, 2022