Kenneth Grahame’s childhood with boats
On this day in 1859 the author Kenneth Grahame was born. Known for The Wind in the Willows, Graham drew on his own childhood experiences... Read More
Piet Mondrian’s abstract spirituality
On this day in 1872 the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian was born. Though he started by painting landscapes, Mondrian was greatly influenced by the work... Read More
Archibald Primrose, Earl of Rosebery, fulfils his ambitions
On this day in 1894 Archibald Philip Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery, became Prime Minister of Britain. It was said that he was too patrician... Read More
William Carlos Williams felt upstaged by his friend TS Eliot
On this day in 1963 the poet William Carlos Williams died. Williams lived in New Jersey and was also a doctor, practicing medicine by day... Read More
Tom Wolfe nearly made a career in baseball
On this day in 1931 the writer and journalist Tom Wolfe was born. Wolfe excelled both academically and at baseball – he considered turning professional.... Read More
Alessandro Botticelli’s unrequited love
On this day in 1445, the first day of Spring, the Florentine painter Alessandro Botticelli was born. Much of his work was done for his... Read More
Frederic Chopin’s country idyll with George Sand
On this day in 1789 the composer and pianist Frederic Chopin was born in Warsaw. Chopin’s name is much linked with George Sand, the diminutive... Read More