Niccolo Machiavelli puts realism into politics
On this day in 1469 Italian writer and politician Niccolo Machiavelli was born. In the turbulent times of the Renaissance, Machiavelli gained personal experience in... Read More
Leonardo’s fifteen masterpieces
On this day in 1519 the Italian artist and polymath Leonardo da Vinci died. His biographer, Giorgio Vasari said: “In the normal course of events... Read More
Joseph Heller couldn’t write another bestseller after Catch-22
On this day in 1923 American author Joseph Heller was born. Heller served in the US Air Force in the Second World War, an experience... Read More
Adolf Hitler’s last days
On this day in 1945 Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. His Götterdämmerung moment had been a while coming but had been foreseen... Read More
Joan of Arc’s cross-dressing was her undoing
On this day in 1412 the French Saint and national heroine Joan of Arc was born at Domremy, Eastern France. After convincing the King of... Read More
Harper Lee was a friend of Truman Capote
On this day in 1926 the American author Harper Lee was born. She lived in Monroeville, Alabama as a child, down the road from her friend... Read More
Edward Gibbon’s ‘Decline and Fall’ is relevant today
On this day in 1737 historian, Edward Gibbon was born. He is chiefly remembered for his amazing ‘History of the Decline and Fall of the... Read More