Wordsworth’s French, illegitimate daughter
On this day in 1770 the English poet William Wordsworth was born. A career poet who became Poet Laureate in his later years, Wordsworth is... Read More
Arthur Miller, Marilyn Monroe and The Crucible
On this day in 1947 American playwright and Pulitzer Prize winner Arthur Miller won a Tony award for his play “All My Sons”. Miller was... Read More
Algernon Swinburne, poet, alcoholic and algolagniac
On this day in 1837 the poet Algernon Charles Swinburne was born. Swinburne was a well-born and clever young man who did well at Oxford... Read More
Oliver Goldsmith, playwright and compulsive gambler
On this day in 1774 the poet, novelist and playwright Oliver Goldsmith died aged 43. Dr Samuel Johnson wrote this epitaph: “Oliver Goldsmith: A Poet,... Read More
Washington Irving charmed the ladies
On this day in 1783 American writer Washington Irving was born. He was named after America’s greatest statesman for obvious reasons (the War of Independence... Read More
Emile Zola would say “J’Accuse” today
On this day in 1840 the French author Emile Zola was born. He was a prolific writer of novels, the best known being Therese Raquin... Read More
April Fool’s Day – who cares ?
On this day people like to play tricks on each other. Nobody knows why – perhaps that’s what the attraction is. It seems to have... Read More