History writing, history, and writing #4

A literary theory, librarians, the right to light, and a cheeky cat.

Surprise! I’m back with a fourth and now officially regular monthly addition to my newsletter schedule.

Below you will find links to some interesting history-related articles I’ve read recently, a photo from a history-related visit, and an item about the history/practise of writing.

Enjoy!

History writing

• This is such an intriguing suggestion: was F Scott Fitzgerald’s Jay Gatsby black or mixed-race?

  Wesley Lowery
  revisits literature professor Carlyle V Thompson’s theory in this 100th anniversary year of ‘The Great Gatsby’.

• Discover what it was like to work on a library telephone reference desk in the days before the internet.

• Visual reminders of an ancient-origin law that protected homeowners’ right to natural light remain dotted around London – have you spotted any of these signs?

  • Related: a 1972 right to light battle (or, the prevention of the ability to claim it) in the east of England.

• 1,000 years after it was created, historians are still studying the Bayeux Tapestry, including the “really interesting” question: how many penises does it feature?

History

Humans knew the danger of angering or offending the ancient gods and goddesses. Cats, not so much, apparently. I had to smile when I saw this 340-320BC marriage vase at the British Museum. It features Aphrodite, the goddess of love, holding out a bird, a token of love, to the (not specified, but I’m assuming) bride-to-be. Below, a cheeky little cat stands on its hind legs, paws outstretched, hoping to get itself a snack!

Here’s a shot of the full vase, which was designed to hold water for a pre-wedding bath:

Writing

The traditional reporter’s notebook is on the decline. But, as this article cautions, “No matter how ubiquitous technology might be, it’s not foolproof. ‘I tell all my reporters: do not trust a recording. At the very least, write down one good quote so you know you have that in case [the technology] fails.’”