Sartre and de Beauvoir’s strange relationship
On this day in 1905 Jean Paul Sartre, philosopher and writer was born. Sartre’s name is always linked with that of Simone de Beauvoir. Though... Read More
Kurt Schwitters makes art out of detritus
On this day in 1887 the German British artist and writer Kurt Schwitters was born. He came to England before World War II and was... Read More
Blaise Pascal invents the calculating machine
On this day in 1623 the French philosopher, mathematician and writer Blaise Pascal was born. One of the profoundest thinkers since the Graeco Roman period,... Read More
Wellington slept at Waterloo
On this day in 1815 the Battle of Waterloo was fought. As the Duke of Wellington later remarked, it was: ‘A damned close run thing.’... Read More
King Richard II, winner at fourteen, died alone at thirty-three
On this day in 1381 King Richard II of England met the leaders of the Peasants’ revolt outside London. It was the bravest and most... Read More
Harriet Martineau speaks her mind
On this day in 1802 Harriet Martineau the English writer and sociologist was born. Martineau’s work was admired by Queen Victoria and among her acquaintances... Read More