Charles Dickens’s writing brought the struggles of the poor to light in ways that helped improve their lot. But you may not know that he also brought literal light to the poor, along with air to breathe.
Tag Archives: Historic Figures
Casual Perfection
Critic Meghan O’Rourke argues that publishing drafts of Elizabeth Bishop’s work reveals more of the American poet’s brilliance.
Why the Colonies Most Galvanizing Leader Never Became a Founding Father
Learn how James Otis, Jr., inpsired early revolutionary thinking with fiery speeches against British rule.
Double-Bind: Three Women of the Harlem Renaissance
Among the more well-known male writers and artists of the Harlem Renaissance existed women who also deserve to be recognized. Read about three writers whose work reflected being both black and female.
Dads who do chores bolster daughters’ aspirations
In a recent study, researchers at the University of British Columbia found that daughters who see their fathers contribute to household chores are more likely to have higher career aspirations.
Edward Curtis: Photographing the North American Indian
Nineteenth-century photographer Edward Curtis was known for his images of Native Americans. Watch this video that details the Smithsonian Institute’s recent acquisition of more than 700 of Curtis’s images.
In Search of Shakespeare: Timeline
Shakespeare is possibly the most famous playwright of all time, but much of his life is shrouded in mystery. Explore the timeline of events that shaped Shakespeare’s world. Then, explore the “In Search of Shakespeare” site to learn more about the man and his works.
Sojourner Truth
A former slave, Sojourner Truth was an ally of Frederick Douglass and William Lloyd Garrison in the fight for the abolition of slavery. Watch a mini-biography and read about this brave abolitionist and women’s rights advocate.
In New Bedford, Frederick Douglass Finds Refuge as a Fugitive Slave
Listen to this account of Frederick Douglass’s first years of freedom.
John Dickinson during the Continental and Confederation periods
Read about this lesser-known contemporary of the founding fathers.
How Jonathan Swift Attacked Fake News
In the 1720s and 1730s, author Jonathan Swift used satire to protest social injustices, balancing facts with absurdity.
Patience Agbabi: Chaucer remixed
Poet Patience Agbabi re-writes Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales with characters from modern-day England.
Who betrayed Anne Frank? New probe launched by ex-FBI agent
Using “cold case” investigation methods and hi-tech data analysis, a team of experts is working to determine whether someone told the Gestapo about the secret annex, or if the discovery of the Frank family was merely a matter of chance.
Harriet Tubman: American Hero
In March of 2017, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitor Center opened in Maryland. Read this article to learn more about the center, along with several other reasons Tubman has received fresh attention recently.
Fridtjof Nansen
Fridtjof Nansen would have been a hero in his native Norway if he had only been a brilliant scientist or an intrepid explorer or an innovative diplomat or a life-saving humanitarian. But he was all of these, and more.
Did John Deere’s Best Invention Spark a Revolution or an Environmental Disaster?
This article examines the complexities of farming technology and its environmental impact since the invention of John Deere’s steel plow in 1833.
Mind Ablaze
Critic Jayne Anne Phillips outlines Stephen Crane’s life as she reviews Stephen Crane: A Life of Fire, a 2014 biography of the American author written by Paul Sorrentino.
Gandhi: Surprising Facts on His Life and How His Legacy Lives on Today
Read this article and watch the video to learn about the life of Mohandas Gandhi, whose method of peaceful resistance continues to inspire activists today.
When Girls Studied Planets and the Skies Had No Limits
In the early 1800s, astronomy was seen as a feminine hobby. As it became professionalized, women started to become sidlined. Scientists like Maria Mitchell fought for women’s place in the field.
L.A. County formally replaces Columbus Day
Acknowledging the role European settlement in the Americas had on native people, the city of Los Angeles renamed the holiday to commemorate Christopher Columbus as “Indigenous Peoples Day.”