Vonnegut’s Survival in the Dresden Slaughterhouse
On this day in 2007 American author and artist Kurt Vonnegut Jr died aged 84. Vonnegut smoked untipped cigarettes most of his adult life, sardonically... Read More
General Booth’s Salvation Army band
On this day in 1829 William Booth, founder and first General of the Salvation Army was born. After years of work as a travelling Methodist... Read More
Gregory Corso’s admiration for Shelley
On this day in 1930 American poet Gregory Corso was born. He was a member of the Beat Generation and a particular friend of Allen... Read More
Billy Collins, America’s favourite poet
On this day in 1941 American Poet Laureate Billy Collins was born. Called ‘America’s favourite poet’ he has several best-selling volumes to his name. His... Read More
Sir Arthur C Clarke thinks ahead of his time
On this day in 2008 British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C. Clarke died aged 90. A prolific writer, he is most famous for the... Read More
Jack Kerouac, writer on a roll
On this day in 1951 American author Jack Kerouac was preparing to write his defining novel On the Road. The manuscript was to be typed... Read More
Sylvia Beach – brave bookseller and publisher
On this day in 1887 Sylvia Beach, the American publisher and bookseller, was born. Sylvia grew up in Baltimore, Maryland but came to Paris in... Read More