Mary Webb’s stories of rustic discomfort
On this day in 1881 the novelist Mary Webb was born. Brought up in Shropshire, her stories are reminiscent in plot and style of her... Read More
Irving Layton’s ground-breaking male chauvinism
On this day in 1912 the Canadian poet Irving Layton was born. He is known for his combative ‘tell it like it is’ style that... Read More
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
Samuel Pepys has a dream
On this day in 1633 the English diarist Samuel Pepys was born. Sometimes he comforted himself at night as when he dreamt, during the terrible... Read More
The New Yorker, the city’s classy magazine
On this day in 1925 the first issue of the New Yorker magazine appeared. All articles are to a very high standard and facts are... Read More
Dylan Thomas’s alcoholic marriage
On this day in 1950 the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas arrived in New York City for the start of his first poetry reading tour. There... Read More
Michelangelo Buonarroti didn’t like painting
On this day in 1564 Michelangelo Buonarroti died aged 88. He spent years painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, in the Vatican. The project... Read More