James Harriman-Smith
@jharrimansmith.bsky.social
Senior lecturer in Restoration and eighteenth-century literature (especially theatre) at Newcastle University; trustee of BSECS; likes cats and learning languages.
Pinned
What Would Garrick Do? Or, Acting Lessons from the Eighteenth Century
The stage of the 1700s established a star culture, with the emergence of such acting celebrities as David Garrick, Susannah Cibber, and Sarah Siddons. It placed…
bloomsbury.com
My second book was published this week! It's called What Would Garrick Do? Or, Acting Lessons from the Eighteenth Century:
bloomsbury.com/uk/what-woul...
I'd like to tell you a little bit about it... 1/7
#18thc #theatre #acting '#wwgd' #c18
bloomsbury.com/uk/what-woul...
I'd like to tell you a little bit about it... 1/7
#18thc #theatre #acting '#wwgd' #c18
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
DON'T FORGET to register for #BSECS2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026.
Early bird rates apply until tomorrow (Saturday 15 November 2025)
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Early bird rates apply until tomorrow (Saturday 15 November 2025)
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
BSECS Conference Registration
Registration for the BSECS Annual Conference is now open. Please use the form below to register for the conference.
www.bsecs.org.uk
November 14, 2025 at 9:23 AM
DON'T FORGET to register for #BSECS2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026.
Early bird rates apply until tomorrow (Saturday 15 November 2025)
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Early bird rates apply until tomorrow (Saturday 15 November 2025)
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
Early Bird Registration for #BSECS2026 closes on the
***15 NOVEMBER 2025***
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
***15 NOVEMBER 2025***
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
BSECS Conference Registration
Registration for the BSECS Annual Conference is now open. Please use the form below to register for the conference.
www.bsecs.org.uk
November 10, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Early Bird Registration for #BSECS2026 closes on the
***15 NOVEMBER 2025***
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
***15 NOVEMBER 2025***
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
It's not Masquerade Monday, BUT! 'The Masquerade: A History of Extravagance and Intrigue' is now available for pre-order & you can get 25% off through Friday!
www.waterstones.com/book/the-mas...
If you think Bridgerton will be juicy, just wait til you get your hands on this 😏🤫 #18thc
www.waterstones.com/book/the-mas...
If you think Bridgerton will be juicy, just wait til you get your hands on this 😏🤫 #18thc
October 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
It's not Masquerade Monday, BUT! 'The Masquerade: A History of Extravagance and Intrigue' is now available for pre-order & you can get 25% off through Friday!
www.waterstones.com/book/the-mas...
If you think Bridgerton will be juicy, just wait til you get your hands on this 😏🤫 #18thc
www.waterstones.com/book/the-mas...
If you think Bridgerton will be juicy, just wait til you get your hands on this 😏🤫 #18thc
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
We are in the process of working our way through HUNDREDS (no exaggeration) of fabulous CFPs.
If you have submitted a proposal for #BSECS2026, we will be in touch on or before the ***15 October 2025*** to let you know if you've been successful.
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
If you have submitted a proposal for #BSECS2026, we will be in touch on or before the ***15 October 2025*** to let you know if you've been successful.
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
October 10, 2025 at 7:19 AM
We are in the process of working our way through HUNDREDS (no exaggeration) of fabulous CFPs.
If you have submitted a proposal for #BSECS2026, we will be in touch on or before the ***15 October 2025*** to let you know if you've been successful.
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
If you have submitted a proposal for #BSECS2026, we will be in touch on or before the ***15 October 2025*** to let you know if you've been successful.
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
#OTD in 1958 @newcastleuni.bsky.social Percy Building was officially opened by Professor J. Dover Wilson, and named after the first Rector of Kings College, Lord Eustace Percy.
Browse the brochure for the opening event on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
Browse the brochure for the opening event on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
October 10, 2025 at 2:45 PM
#OTD in 1958 @newcastleuni.bsky.social Percy Building was officially opened by Professor J. Dover Wilson, and named after the first Rector of Kings College, Lord Eustace Percy.
Browse the brochure for the opening event on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
Browse the brochure for the opening event on CollectionsCaptured: collectionscaptured.ncl.ac.uk/digital/coll...
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
Today should have been the deadline for #BSECS2026, but we are extending it by a WHOLE EXTRA WEEK! Share your research with us @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026 by sending us your proposals before MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
BSECS Annual Conference
BSECS Annual Conference: the annual meeting of the British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies is Europe's largest and most prestigious annual conference
www.bsecs.org.uk
September 15, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Today should have been the deadline for #BSECS2026, but we are extending it by a WHOLE EXTRA WEEK! Share your research with us @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026 by sending us your proposals before MONDAY 22 SEPTEMBER #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
***The #CFP for the #BSECS2026 conference closes on the 15 September 2025***
Submissions are welcome on any aspect of #18thC history, culture, and literature, but particularly on our conference theme 'Big and Small'.
@pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Submissions are welcome on any aspect of #18thC history, culture, and literature, but particularly on our conference theme 'Big and Small'.
@pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
BSECS - Submit a Proposal
Submit a Proposal. BSECS welcomes proposals for the Annual Conference. The deadline for submission of papers and panel proposals is usually November.
www.bsecs.org.uk
September 9, 2025 at 9:20 AM
***The #CFP for the #BSECS2026 conference closes on the 15 September 2025***
Submissions are welcome on any aspect of #18thC history, culture, and literature, but particularly on our conference theme 'Big and Small'.
@pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Submissions are welcome on any aspect of #18thC history, culture, and literature, but particularly on our conference theme 'Big and Small'.
@pembrokeoxford.bsky.social, 7-9 January 2026
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
so anyway I've been thinking about how Chicago style is the historian's secret weapon in a war of AI slop and the blithe, social media spread of unattributed misinformation.
CMS requires attribution of quotes, paraphrases and any fact not commonly known. 1/?
CMS requires attribution of quotes, paraphrases and any fact not commonly known. 1/?
August 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
so anyway I've been thinking about how Chicago style is the historian's secret weapon in a war of AI slop and the blithe, social media spread of unattributed misinformation.
CMS requires attribution of quotes, paraphrases and any fact not commonly known. 1/?
CMS requires attribution of quotes, paraphrases and any fact not commonly known. 1/?
This is me!
🃏&🎭: valuepast.hypotheses.org/4666
Vielen Dank an @valuepast.bsky.social and @newcastleuni.bsky.social!
#18thC
🃏&🎭: valuepast.hypotheses.org/4666
Vielen Dank an @valuepast.bsky.social and @newcastleuni.bsky.social!
#18thC
On Peformances and Playing Cards
After attending Brecht's 'The Threepenny Opera' in Berlin, James Harriman-Smith reflects on what performance is today and what it used to be.
valuepast.hypotheses.org
August 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
This is me!
🃏&🎭: valuepast.hypotheses.org/4666
Vielen Dank an @valuepast.bsky.social and @newcastleuni.bsky.social!
#18thC
🃏&🎭: valuepast.hypotheses.org/4666
Vielen Dank an @valuepast.bsky.social and @newcastleuni.bsky.social!
#18thC
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
What is performance? And what was performance? For our latest blogpost @jharrimansmith.bsky.social (ourformer fellow at @zfl-berlin.bsky.social) thought about these questions and continue that thinking here with the help of a peculiar pack of cards and a trip to the @blnensemble.bsky.social
On Peformances and Playing Cards
After attending Brecht's 'The Threepenny Opera' in Berlin, James Harriman-Smith reflects on what performance is today and what it used to be.
valuepast.hypotheses.org
August 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
What is performance? And what was performance? For our latest blogpost @jharrimansmith.bsky.social (ourformer fellow at @zfl-berlin.bsky.social) thought about these questions and continue that thinking here with the help of a peculiar pack of cards and a trip to the @blnensemble.bsky.social
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
***Engagement Officer Vacancy***
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Vacancies - BSECS
Vacancies on the Council This page gives details of any current vacancies on the BSECS Council. Vacancies are normally advertised in the autumn of the year and appointments are made or elections held ...
www.bsecs.org.uk
July 23, 2025 at 8:30 AM
***Engagement Officer Vacancy***
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
We're looking for an engagement officer to act as primary point of contact for #18thC centres across the UK, and to oversee our outreach and engagement. It's a voluntary role, but associated travel & accommodation expenses are paid...
www.bsecs.org.uk/the-society/...
Belatedly posting a photo from the Theatre Book Prize ceremony! 📸
Thanks again to the STR (@theatreresearch.bsky.social) and Bloomsbury (@methuendrama.bsky.social). And well done to all the other shortlisted authors too! 🥳
Thanks again to the STR (@theatreresearch.bsky.social) and Bloomsbury (@methuendrama.bsky.social). And well done to all the other shortlisted authors too! 🥳
June 30, 2025 at 12:34 PM
Belatedly posting a photo from the Theatre Book Prize ceremony! 📸
Thanks again to the STR (@theatreresearch.bsky.social) and Bloomsbury (@methuendrama.bsky.social). And well done to all the other shortlisted authors too! 🥳
Thanks again to the STR (@theatreresearch.bsky.social) and Bloomsbury (@methuendrama.bsky.social). And well done to all the other shortlisted authors too! 🥳
With big thanks to the staff there, I'm pleased to announce that you can now buy copies of my What Would Garrick Do? at David Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare in Richmond (www.garrickstemple.org.uk) - another reason to check out this amazing little place!
June 23, 2025 at 9:27 AM
With big thanks to the staff there, I'm pleased to announce that you can now buy copies of my What Would Garrick Do? at David Garrick's Temple to Shakespeare in Richmond (www.garrickstemple.org.uk) - another reason to check out this amazing little place!
MY BOOK HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR THE THEATRE BOOK PRIZE!!!! www.str.org.uk/grants-prize...
I am very excited about this!! #18thc #theatre #acting
I am very excited about this!! #18thc #theatre #acting
June 3, 2025 at 9:26 AM
MY BOOK HAS BEEN SHORTLISTED FOR THE THEATRE BOOK PRIZE!!!! www.str.org.uk/grants-prize...
I am very excited about this!! #18thc #theatre #acting
I am very excited about this!! #18thc #theatre #acting
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
IMPORTANT #BSECS2026 NEWS!
Registration for #BSECS2026 opens on Sunday 1 June!
Submit your CFP on the theme of 'Big & Small' and join us for our 55th annual conference 7-9 Jan 2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
Click on the link for the full CFP
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Registration for #BSECS2026 opens on Sunday 1 June!
Submit your CFP on the theme of 'Big & Small' and join us for our 55th annual conference 7-9 Jan 2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
Click on the link for the full CFP
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
BSECS Annual Conference
BSECS Annual Conference: the annual meeting of the British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies is Europe's largest and most prestigious annual conference
www.bsecs.org.uk
May 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
IMPORTANT #BSECS2026 NEWS!
Registration for #BSECS2026 opens on Sunday 1 June!
Submit your CFP on the theme of 'Big & Small' and join us for our 55th annual conference 7-9 Jan 2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
Click on the link for the full CFP
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Registration for #BSECS2026 opens on Sunday 1 June!
Submit your CFP on the theme of 'Big & Small' and join us for our 55th annual conference 7-9 Jan 2026 @pembrokeoxford.bsky.social
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
Click on the link for the full CFP
www.bsecs.org.uk/conferences/...
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
Applications are now open for the BSECS-Northumbria Fellowship - up to £4000 to research the culture, history, and identity of the North East of England and the Scottish Borders in the long eighteenth century. Find out more at www.bsecs.org.uk/prizes-and-a...
Prizes and awards Archive - BSECS
www.bsecs.org.uk
April 30, 2025 at 10:01 AM
Applications are now open for the BSECS-Northumbria Fellowship - up to £4000 to research the culture, history, and identity of the North East of England and the Scottish Borders in the long eighteenth century. Find out more at www.bsecs.org.uk/prizes-and-a...
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
This June, we have an exciting conference! It will showcase early career scholars working on the intersections between text, materiality and performance, both in and beyond the commercial theatres in Great Britain and Ireland in the long early modern period (1500-1800).
www.sal.org.uk/event/revels/
www.sal.org.uk/event/revels/
Revels Office: New Voices in Early Modern Material Culture, Theatre, and Performance - Society of Antiquaries of London
This June, the Revels Office, an international network of early career academics, will hold its first conference with the Society of Antiquaries of London. The conference showcases early career schola...
www.sal.org.uk
April 25, 2025 at 8:49 AM
This June, we have an exciting conference! It will showcase early career scholars working on the intersections between text, materiality and performance, both in and beyond the commercial theatres in Great Britain and Ireland in the long early modern period (1500-1800).
www.sal.org.uk/event/revels/
www.sal.org.uk/event/revels/
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
#FeelGoodFriday Congratulations to Jake Bransgrove who is our 2025 GPP/BSECS Fellow. His project explores the social functions of paper silhouettes within cultures of elite sociability in the Georgian court.
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
March 21, 2025 at 6:27 AM
#FeelGoodFriday Congratulations to Jake Bransgrove who is our 2025 GPP/BSECS Fellow. His project explores the social functions of paper silhouettes within cultures of elite sociability in the Georgian court.
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
#18thC #skystorians 🗃️
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
#FeelGoodFriday The winner of the #BSECS2025 Digital Prize is the Books and Borrowing, 1750-1830 database! The database contains borrowing records from 18 Scottish Libraries, 43,000 register pages, 162,000 borrowing acts
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
@books-borrowing.bsky.social
borrowing.stir.ac.uk
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
@books-borrowing.bsky.social
borrowing.stir.ac.uk
Books and Borrowing 1750-1830
borrowing.stir.ac.uk
March 21, 2025 at 8:14 AM
#FeelGoodFriday The winner of the #BSECS2025 Digital Prize is the Books and Borrowing, 1750-1830 database! The database contains borrowing records from 18 Scottish Libraries, 43,000 register pages, 162,000 borrowing acts
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
@books-borrowing.bsky.social
borrowing.stir.ac.uk
#skystorians #18thC 🗃️
@books-borrowing.bsky.social
borrowing.stir.ac.uk
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the #BSECS2025 President's Prize, Zoe Copeman! Zoe's paper 'Women's access to anatomical knowledge in #18thC Britain and France' used Anne Lister's diaries to show how women had access to surgical imagery, but often didn't interpret it correctly or fully 🗃️ 1/2
February 17, 2025 at 5:31 AM
CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of the #BSECS2025 President's Prize, Zoe Copeman! Zoe's paper 'Women's access to anatomical knowledge in #18thC Britain and France' used Anne Lister's diaries to show how women had access to surgical imagery, but often didn't interpret it correctly or fully 🗃️ 1/2
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
We are very excited to announce the #cfp for our #PGR #ECR conference on 'Facades' - 30/31 July at Bath Spa University
Please send 250 word abstract + short bio to [email protected] by the 21 March 2025
Full details for screen readers in the thread below 1/5
#BSECS2025 #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
Please send 250 word abstract + short bio to [email protected] by the 21 March 2025
Full details for screen readers in the thread below 1/5
#BSECS2025 #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
January 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
We are very excited to announce the #cfp for our #PGR #ECR conference on 'Facades' - 30/31 July at Bath Spa University
Please send 250 word abstract + short bio to [email protected] by the 21 March 2025
Full details for screen readers in the thread below 1/5
#BSECS2025 #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
Please send 250 word abstract + short bio to [email protected] by the 21 March 2025
Full details for screen readers in the thread below 1/5
#BSECS2025 #skystorians #18thC 🗃️
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
One to broadcast @bsecs.bsky.social 💧💧💧💧
I lied … another # Tip # water is available for speakers outside rooms. Delegates can fill up water bottles in the Farthings cafè in the Henderson building. 💧#Bsecs2025
January 8, 2025 at 12:13 PM
One to broadcast @bsecs.bsky.social 💧💧💧💧
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
Hello lovely #BSECS2025 delegates. The registration desk is now closed. We will reopen at 8.30am for payments, programmes & I can’t think of another thing beginning with ‘p’. But you get the idea! @bsecs.bsky.social
January 8, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Hello lovely #BSECS2025 delegates. The registration desk is now closed. We will reopen at 8.30am for payments, programmes & I can’t think of another thing beginning with ‘p’. But you get the idea! @bsecs.bsky.social
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
🚨Important update🚨 online panels will now take place in the art gallery and not Steinway Room. If in doubt ask me at reception, which is close to both @bsecs.bsky.social #BSECS2025
Tip # 10 🛜 There are both hybrid panels and fully online panels during this conference. The fully online panels can be accessed in the Steinway Room, and there is a separate programme for these in your printed programme. #BSECS2025
January 7, 2025 at 7:03 PM
🚨Important update🚨 online panels will now take place in the art gallery and not Steinway Room. If in doubt ask me at reception, which is close to both @bsecs.bsky.social #BSECS2025
Reposted by James Harriman-Smith
Important update from #BSECS2025 🧳 @bsecs.bsky.social
January 7, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Important update from #BSECS2025 🧳 @bsecs.bsky.social