Mark Kirby
@markkirby.bsky.social
Fellow, Lincoln College, Oxford. Architectural historian, C17 church architecture & furnishings. Chairman of Council of the Ecclesiological Society.
This is required reading. Putin understands that, with few exceptions, billionaires are consumed by desire for ever more money. It did not take much effort to subjugate "peace talks" under the imperative to extract mineral resources & "create shareholder value." Witkoff is a willing accomplice here.
"By dangling multibillion-dollar rare-earth and energy deals, Moscow could reshape the economic map of Europe—while driving a wedge between America and its traditional allies"
Read this excellent @wsj.com account of the business deals behind the "peace"negotiations
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Read this excellent @wsj.com account of the business deals behind the "peace"negotiations
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:00 AM
This is required reading. Putin understands that, with few exceptions, billionaires are consumed by desire for ever more money. It did not take much effort to subjugate "peace talks" under the imperative to extract mineral resources & "create shareholder value." Witkoff is a willing accomplice here.
Reposted by Mark Kirby
I'm very proud of this book: it has a wonderful array of work by many of my favourite historians, which cumulatively makes the pitch for understanding modern British History through the lens of the urban. Lund Humphries have done a wonderful production job, & it is a big beautiful book. Buy it now!
OUT NOW!
The Modern British City 1945-2000, ed. by Simon Gunn, Peter Mandler and Otto Saumarez Smith, brings together architectural, urban and social historians, to chart the extraordinary changes that took place in British cities between the end of the Second World War and the early 21st century.
The Modern British City 1945-2000, ed. by Simon Gunn, Peter Mandler and Otto Saumarez Smith, brings together architectural, urban and social historians, to chart the extraordinary changes that took place in British cities between the end of the Second World War and the early 21st century.
November 28, 2025 at 11:58 AM
I'm very proud of this book: it has a wonderful array of work by many of my favourite historians, which cumulatively makes the pitch for understanding modern British History through the lens of the urban. Lund Humphries have done a wonderful production job, & it is a big beautiful book. Buy it now!
Shocking that his needs to be said, but here we are. Not helped by a jeering culture in the House of Commons and press when it happens.
Yes, govt bent to pressure from MPs over the benefit cap.
That's how parliamentary democracy works - and why it's a good thing.
It means a leader has to carry a wider movement with them. There's a counter-pressure to the strategists in No. 10.
It matters that we elect a Parliament, not just a PM.
That's how parliamentary democracy works - and why it's a good thing.
It means a leader has to carry a wider movement with them. There's a counter-pressure to the strategists in No. 10.
It matters that we elect a Parliament, not just a PM.
November 28, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Shocking that his needs to be said, but here we are. Not helped by a jeering culture in the House of Commons and press when it happens.
Reposted by Mark Kirby
NEWS: A bold new vision for the upgrading of Liverpool Street Station by John McAslan + Partners has been unveiled today. Backed by heritage campaigners, it promises to deliver crucial accessibility upgrades without large scale demolition of the listed station.
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/a-new-v...
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/a-new-v...
November 26, 2025 at 11:03 AM
NEWS: A bold new vision for the upgrading of Liverpool Street Station by John McAslan + Partners has been unveiled today. Backed by heritage campaigners, it promises to deliver crucial accessibility upgrades without large scale demolition of the listed station.
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/a-new-v...
➡️ c20society.org.uk/news/a-new-v...
Reposted by Mark Kirby
This will surely surprise most Americans today, but historians have recently discovered that before Donald Trump, it was actually incredibly rare for a president to demand the public execution of this political opponents and press critics.
November 20, 2025 at 3:35 PM
This will surely surprise most Americans today, but historians have recently discovered that before Donald Trump, it was actually incredibly rare for a president to demand the public execution of this political opponents and press critics.
Reposted by Mark Kirby
St Mary's, Wymeswold, is planning a conference on the work of AWN Pugin on 11 April 2026. They are seeking papers which should be 20 minutes long, aimed at a general audience. To participate please send a 300 word abstract by 15/1/26 to Professor Elizabeth Tingle at [email protected]
November 18, 2025 at 12:01 PM
St Mary's, Wymeswold, is planning a conference on the work of AWN Pugin on 11 April 2026. They are seeking papers which should be 20 minutes long, aimed at a general audience. To participate please send a 300 word abstract by 15/1/26 to Professor Elizabeth Tingle at [email protected]
I was very sorry to hear just now of the death of James Stevens Curl last week. He was an endearing curmudgeon who called me "dear boy" even when I was in my late 50s. He was a great supporter of voluntary organisations like @ecclsoc.bsky.social and @churchmonuments.bsky.social .
November 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I was very sorry to hear just now of the death of James Stevens Curl last week. He was an endearing curmudgeon who called me "dear boy" even when I was in my late 50s. He was a great supporter of voluntary organisations like @ecclsoc.bsky.social and @churchmonuments.bsky.social .
Reposted by Mark Kirby
@bjennings90.bsky.social absolutely nails it. (www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...)
November 11, 2025 at 6:58 AM
@bjennings90.bsky.social absolutely nails it. (www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...)
Reposted by Mark Kirby
Farage: epic grifter
October 27, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Farage: epic grifter
My Instagram debut. Does this mean I'm now an influencer? www.instagram.com/reel/DQL5H-V...
Login • Instagram
Welcome back to Instagram. Sign in to check out what your friends, family & interests have been capturing & sharing around the world.
www.instagram.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:26 PM
My Instagram debut. Does this mean I'm now an influencer? www.instagram.com/reel/DQL5H-V...
If you have even a slight interest in churches, you should follow Andy Marshall. He is a thoughtful commentator and brilliant photographer.
😮Temple Church, London.
Standing at the centre unlocks the spirit of the place. It’s as though the building itself were an epic drama, and I had stepped into the pivot of its plot — a moment of revelation.
Read on:👉 www.digest.andymarshall.co/andy-marshal...
Standing at the centre unlocks the spirit of the place. It’s as though the building itself were an epic drama, and I had stepped into the pivot of its plot — a moment of revelation.
Read on:👉 www.digest.andymarshall.co/andy-marshal...
October 17, 2025 at 6:49 AM
If you have even a slight interest in churches, you should follow Andy Marshall. He is a thoughtful commentator and brilliant photographer.
Expect memories & stories of a lifetime of visiting, enjoying & brooding on church buildings & their significance, & meeting the great Pevsner himself. Followed by wine & mince pies. What's not to like?
The Third Brandwood Lecture: "Pevsner and Me" given by Diarmaid MacCulloch
Monday, 8th December 2025, St James-the-Less, Pimlico, SW1V 2PS
book here: ecclsoc.org.uk/events/third...
Monday, 8th December 2025, St James-the-Less, Pimlico, SW1V 2PS
book here: ecclsoc.org.uk/events/third...
October 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Expect memories & stories of a lifetime of visiting, enjoying & brooding on church buildings & their significance, & meeting the great Pevsner himself. Followed by wine & mince pies. What's not to like?
I've boycotted Amazon for years, and this illustrates (literally!) why.
Did you know that if you buy my book on Amazon, Jeff Bezos makes 5 times as much as I do on each copy sold? Sharing some behind-the-scenes book math on why buying directly from presses is best for EVERYONE (except Bezos) in my newsletter today! aubreyhirsch.substack.com/p/book-math
October 14, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I've boycotted Amazon for years, and this illustrates (literally!) why.
The Bayerische Staadtsbibliothek is one of my go-to resources for good quality scans of early modern books. The download arrangement is a bit complicated and I use the auto-translate button. Amused by what looks like a weary "yeah, yeah ... whatever" to confirm I have read the T&Cs.
October 14, 2025 at 11:18 AM
The Bayerische Staadtsbibliothek is one of my go-to resources for good quality scans of early modern books. The download arrangement is a bit complicated and I use the auto-translate button. Amused by what looks like a weary "yeah, yeah ... whatever" to confirm I have read the T&Cs.
Reposted by Mark Kirby
My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
NEW: The British politician, his Russian intelligence handler & a Kremlin plot against the US & Ukraine.
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
My new piece about Nathan Gill and Nigel Farage for @thenerve_news in which we ask:
Why, even now, is no-one asking questions?
t.co/BUTtpK9C4S
October 13, 2025 at 9:21 AM
My colleagues & I have taken a huge gamble to set up @thenerve.news We’re trying to build a new independent publication from the ground up. Social media is our only distribution for now.
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Sharing this article in your networks would make a huge difference. Thank you! 🙏🙏🙏
Reposted by Mark Kirby
We have just joined BlueSky! Since our foundation in 1880, we have reproduced an unrivalled selection of historic maps, plans and views of London. We also publish books and monographs containing original research. See more of what we have to offer at: londontopsoc.org
October 12, 2025 at 11:48 AM
We have just joined BlueSky! Since our foundation in 1880, we have reproduced an unrivalled selection of historic maps, plans and views of London. We also publish books and monographs containing original research. See more of what we have to offer at: londontopsoc.org
Reposted by Mark Kirby
Celebrating 50 years since the conversion of one of Oxford's most iconic buildings into one of its most beautiful libraries @lincoln.ox.ac.uk (Yours truly also in the slideshow getting very excited showing things from the historic collection.)
lincoln.ox.ac.uk/news/lincoln...
lincoln.ox.ac.uk/news/lincoln...
Lincoln Celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the Library | Lincoln College Oxford
Lincoln Library 50th Anniversary
lincoln.ox.ac.uk
October 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Celebrating 50 years since the conversion of one of Oxford's most iconic buildings into one of its most beautiful libraries @lincoln.ox.ac.uk (Yours truly also in the slideshow getting very excited showing things from the historic collection.)
lincoln.ox.ac.uk/news/lincoln...
lincoln.ox.ac.uk/news/lincoln...
Reposted by Mark Kirby
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
October 9, 2025 at 8:23 PM
The following is REAL footage from Portland, 2025. Viewer discretion is advised.
Reposted by Mark Kirby
David Chipperfield Architects transforms Saarinen-designed US Embassy into The Rosewood Chancery: www.dezeen.com/2025/10/09/david-chipperfield-architects-us-embassy-the-rosewood-chancery-london/
October 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
David Chipperfield Architects transforms Saarinen-designed US Embassy into The Rosewood Chancery: www.dezeen.com/2025/10/09/david-chipperfield-architects-us-embassy-the-rosewood-chancery-london/
Reposted by Mark Kirby
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
October 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
The Bishop of Birmingham has written to the Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick about his comments about Handsworth
Reposted by Mark Kirby
This is a lie.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
October 7, 2025 at 8:03 AM
This is a lie.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
There are many criticisms you might sensibly and truthfully make of the Sentencing Council and the Sentencing Guidelines. I’ve been making them for years.
But this is an outright lie. Pure fabrication. A fraud on the public.
This was a tremendous speech. All our politicians should read it.
exact quotation, and other relevant sections of the speech, translated here:
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
defenddemocracy.eu/macron-democ...
"Europeans, let's wake up!" — Defend Democracy
“We have been incredibly naive in entrusting our democratic space to social networks.” President Macron on the occasion of German Unity Day, 3 October 2025.
defenddemocracy.eu
October 5, 2025 at 8:21 AM
This was a tremendous speech. All our politicians should read it.
Superb
Chef’s kiss…
We are thrilled to announce that our NEW Large Language Model will be released on 11.18.25.
October 1, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Superb
A great man.
After nearly 50 years of research & teaching, Professor David Vaux retires from Lincoln today. He inspired generations of students & made pioneering contributions in cell biology & disease. Thank you, David – you’ll be greatly missed!
Read Professor Nigel Emptage’s tribute: bit.ly/4nv4tJG
Read Professor Nigel Emptage’s tribute: bit.ly/4nv4tJG
September 30, 2025 at 10:38 AM
A great man.
Today I have become a pensioner! 😳
September 29, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Today I have become a pensioner! 😳