Robert Schumann’s fight with mental illness
On this day in 1810 the German composer Robert Schumann was born. During his forty six years he composed a body of musical work that... Read More
Christopher Marlowe stabbed to death in a London pub
On this day in 1593 English playwright Christopher Marlowe was stabbed to death in a London pub. Although he was born in 1564, the same... Read More
Shakespeare’s sonnets – which is the most beautiful?
On this day in 1609 Shakespeare’s sonnets were first published in London. Shakespeare’s writings are well known for their many hidden meanings and illusions and... Read More
Adolf Hitler’s last days
On this day in 1945 Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. His Götterdämmerung moment had been a while coming but had been foreseen... Read More
Joan of Arc’s cross-dressing was her undoing
On this day in 1412 the French Saint and national heroine Joan of Arc was born at Domremy, Eastern France. After convincing the King of... Read More
Queen Elizabeth II did not expect the Throne
On this day in 1926 Queen Elizabeth II was born, in Mayfair, London. Her father had never expected to become monarch and nor did she.... Read More
Bram Stoker wrote ‘Dracula’, never saw Transylvania
On this day in 1912 Bram Stoker writer and theatre manager died. Stoker’s career began as a journalist in Ireland. While writing theatre reviews in... Read More