Bill Jenkins
@billjenkins.bsky.social
Historian of science and ideas, with a special interest in Scottish history. Honorary research fellow at the School of History, University of St Andrews.
Just finished reading @paulmalgrati.bsky.social 's masterly Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics. Full of fascinating insights into the way social, political and cultural factors mould historical memory. edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-robert-...
Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics
Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics
edinburghuniversitypress.com
September 12, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Just finished reading @paulmalgrati.bsky.social 's masterly Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics. Full of fascinating insights into the way social, political and cultural factors mould historical memory. edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-robert-...
@edinburghup.bsky.social have recently published my blog post on science and religion in 19th-century Scotland, so I thought I'd share it with you all.
euppublishingblog.com/2024/12/09/r...
euppublishingblog.com/2024/12/09/r...
February 11, 2025 at 2:09 PM
@edinburghup.bsky.social have recently published my blog post on science and religion in 19th-century Scotland, so I thought I'd share it with you all.
euppublishingblog.com/2024/12/09/r...
euppublishingblog.com/2024/12/09/r...
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Charles Lyell's 'Antiquity of Man' dropped #OnThisDay in 1863, revealing that humans had a prehistoric past, alongside mammoths and other extinct creatures. The work even examined Neanderthal fossils - which Lyell thoroughly investigated...by licking them. 🦣 🧪 🏺
February 6, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Charles Lyell's 'Antiquity of Man' dropped #OnThisDay in 1863, revealing that humans had a prehistoric past, alongside mammoths and other extinct creatures. The work even examined Neanderthal fossils - which Lyell thoroughly investigated...by licking them. 🦣 🧪 🏺
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Dr Paul Malgrati, @thinkuhi.bsky.social INS Lecturer, BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends talks about his research and book on Robert Burns's political legacy.... Available on BBC Sounds Catch Up...
bit.ly/4gdHWMU
bit.ly/4gdHWMU
Loose Ends - Susie McCabe, Peat and Diesel, Carina Contini, Meredith Brook, Paul Malgrati - BBC Sounds
Clive Anderson and guests have their very own Burns Supper.
bit.ly
January 26, 2025 at 6:16 PM
Dr Paul Malgrati, @thinkuhi.bsky.social INS Lecturer, BBC Radio 4 Loose Ends talks about his research and book on Robert Burns's political legacy.... Available on BBC Sounds Catch Up...
bit.ly/4gdHWMU
bit.ly/4gdHWMU
This is my last day as a lecturer at
@standrewshist.bsky.social. In my time here I've published two books, gained two wonderful daughters and lost one kidney. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work with so many congenial and inspiring colleagues and students. I'm truly sad to be leaving.
@standrewshist.bsky.social. In my time here I've published two books, gained two wonderful daughters and lost one kidney. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work with so many congenial and inspiring colleagues and students. I'm truly sad to be leaving.
January 15, 2025 at 11:17 AM
This is my last day as a lecturer at
@standrewshist.bsky.social. In my time here I've published two books, gained two wonderful daughters and lost one kidney. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work with so many congenial and inspiring colleagues and students. I'm truly sad to be leaving.
@standrewshist.bsky.social. In my time here I've published two books, gained two wonderful daughters and lost one kidney. It's been a pleasure and a privilege to work with so many congenial and inspiring colleagues and students. I'm truly sad to be leaving.
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
In 1911, installed for the Scottish National Exhibition of that year, there was a dirigible gondola ride in Kelvingrove Park which would take you across the valley below to the far side of the River Kelvin. How fun does that look?
Cont./
#glasgow #glasgowhistory #kelvingrovepark
Cont./
#glasgow #glasgowhistory #kelvingrovepark
January 14, 2025 at 8:18 AM
In 1911, installed for the Scottish National Exhibition of that year, there was a dirigible gondola ride in Kelvingrove Park which would take you across the valley below to the far side of the River Kelvin. How fun does that look?
Cont./
#glasgow #glasgowhistory #kelvingrovepark
Cont./
#glasgow #glasgowhistory #kelvingrovepark
Another illustration from David Brewster's wonderful Letters on Natural Magic (1832). What's going on here? (No prizes for correct answers!)
January 13, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Another illustration from David Brewster's wonderful Letters on Natural Magic (1832). What's going on here? (No prizes for correct answers!)
Any guesses as to where this picture comes from or what it shows?
January 8, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Any guesses as to where this picture comes from or what it shows?
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Just published, looks fab . . .
The Arrival of the Fittest: Biology's Imaginary Futures, 1900-1935 by Jim Endersby @uchicagopress.bsky.social.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo... #histsci #histbio #STS #BookSky #X-Men 🗃️
The Arrival of the Fittest: Biology's Imaginary Futures, 1900-1935 by Jim Endersby @uchicagopress.bsky.social.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo... #histsci #histbio #STS #BookSky #X-Men 🗃️
January 7, 2025 at 10:22 AM
Just published, looks fab . . .
The Arrival of the Fittest: Biology's Imaginary Futures, 1900-1935 by Jim Endersby @uchicagopress.bsky.social.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo... #histsci #histbio #STS #BookSky #X-Men 🗃️
The Arrival of the Fittest: Biology's Imaginary Futures, 1900-1935 by Jim Endersby @uchicagopress.bsky.social.
press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/bo... #histsci #histbio #STS #BookSky #X-Men 🗃️
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Publication is drawing nearer for my book Contesting Earth's History in Transatlantic Literary Culture, 1860–1935. Among other things, it discusses magic mushrooms, camels from Atlantis, Moses's interest in Ichthyosaurus, creationist poetry, reincarnated cannibals, and Satan the pterodactyl.
January 6, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Publication is drawing nearer for my book Contesting Earth's History in Transatlantic Literary Culture, 1860–1935. Among other things, it discusses magic mushrooms, camels from Atlantis, Moses's interest in Ichthyosaurus, creationist poetry, reincarnated cannibals, and Satan the pterodactyl.
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
A really well-made song and music video commemorating Marion Pardone (or Peebles), a Shetland woman who was executed for witchcraft in 1644 (and featuring my Mum as part of the village mob) www.shetland.org/blog/da-fate...
Da Fateful Tale o Marion Pardone: Witchcraft in Shetland | Shetland.org
Shetland fiddler and singer-songwriter Claire White launches a short film about Marion Pardone, a Shetland woman who was executed in 1644 under the Witchcraft Act of 1563.
www.shetland.org
January 5, 2025 at 7:28 PM
A really well-made song and music video commemorating Marion Pardone (or Peebles), a Shetland woman who was executed for witchcraft in 1644 (and featuring my Mum as part of the village mob) www.shetland.org/blog/da-fate...
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
On 28 December 1879, the Tay Rail Bridge collapsed during a windstorm just as a North British Railway (NBR) passenger train travelling from Burntisland to Dundee was crossing over, resulting in the deaths of all aboard.
December 28, 2024 at 3:37 PM
On 28 December 1879, the Tay Rail Bridge collapsed during a windstorm just as a North British Railway (NBR) passenger train travelling from Burntisland to Dundee was crossing over, resulting in the deaths of all aboard.
Robert Owen (1771–1858) on 'great men' and morality in history (from Charles Gibbon's Life of George Combe (1878)). Perhaps this is a catechism that we can still learn from.
December 27, 2024 at 2:11 PM
Robert Owen (1771–1858) on 'great men' and morality in history (from Charles Gibbon's Life of George Combe (1878)). Perhaps this is a catechism that we can still learn from.
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Big thanks to Dundee Burns Club for this thoughtful gift: a very rare 1984 poster marking the 10th anniversary of the Scottish-Soviet Burns Celebration. 🏴🚩
‘It’s coming yet for a’ that
That man to man
The world o’er
Shall brothers be
For a’ that’
December 26, 2024 at 1:04 PM
Big thanks to Dundee Burns Club for this thoughtful gift: a very rare 1984 poster marking the 10th anniversary of the Scottish-Soviet Burns Celebration. 🏴🚩
‘It’s coming yet for a’ that
That man to man
The world o’er
Shall brothers be
For a’ that’
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Charles Withers, Professor Emeritus University of Edinburgh and Geographer Royal for Scotland reading from a letter to Charles Darwin by Charles Lyell discussing the domestication of the dog. #LyellProject www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex3g...
Two Hundred and Ninety Four Note Books One Thousand One Hundred Donors.
YouTube video by DIGITAL IMAGING UNIT University of Edinburgh
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2024 at 11:01 AM
Charles Withers, Professor Emeritus University of Edinburgh and Geographer Royal for Scotland reading from a letter to Charles Darwin by Charles Lyell discussing the domestication of the dog. #LyellProject www.youtube.com/watch?v=ex3g...
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Gabrielle-Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet, who translated Principia into French, was born 17 December 1706 #histsci
thonyc.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/a...
thonyc.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/a...
A feminist Newtonian
Any major new scientific theory experiences a period of reception after publication in which it is examined, questioned, subject to criticism and put to the test. During this period, which can and …
thonyc.wordpress.com
December 17, 2024 at 6:28 AM
Gabrielle-Émilie Le Tonnelier de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet, who translated Principia into French, was born 17 December 1706 #histsci
thonyc.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/a...
thonyc.wordpress.com/2010/12/17/a...
This is a very sad day for me, my last day teaching at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social before the end of my contract. I'll greatly miss exchanging ideas with all our wonderful students here at @standrewshist.bsky.social. But it's not quite all over, as I still have plenty of marking to do!
November 29, 2024 at 9:27 AM
This is a very sad day for me, my last day teaching at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social before the end of my contract. I'll greatly miss exchanging ideas with all our wonderful students here at @standrewshist.bsky.social. But it's not quite all over, as I still have plenty of marking to do!
In case you're wondering what my banner is, it's an illustration of a Brocken spectre from David Brewster's wonderful Letters on Natural Magic (1832).
November 23, 2024 at 4:39 PM
In case you're wondering what my banner is, it's an illustration of a Brocken spectre from David Brewster's wonderful Letters on Natural Magic (1832).
My new book, David Brewster and the Culture of Science in Scotland, 1793-1843, comes out this month from Edinburgh University Press. Thanks to everyone at EUP and all my colleagues on the 'After the Enlightenment' project at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social. edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-david-b...
November 22, 2024 at 1:16 PM
My new book, David Brewster and the Culture of Science in Scotland, 1793-1843, comes out this month from Edinburgh University Press. Thanks to everyone at EUP and all my colleagues on the 'After the Enlightenment' project at @uniofstandrews.bsky.social. edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-david-b...
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
Dipping into my back catalogue for Bluesky. This @jofvictculture.bsky.social article from last year looked at how the literary languages of C19th palaeontology shaped the thinking and experiences of those who claimed they could transcend time through psychic means: academic.oup.com/jvc/article/...
Seen through Deep Time: Occult Clairvoyance and Palaeoscientific Imagination
Abstract. Dating from the middle of the nineteenth century, prominent paranormal researchers in Britain and the United States began to claim that they coul
academic.oup.com
October 21, 2024 at 7:46 AM
Dipping into my back catalogue for Bluesky. This @jofvictculture.bsky.social article from last year looked at how the literary languages of C19th palaeontology shaped the thinking and experiences of those who claimed they could transcend time through psychic means: academic.oup.com/jvc/article/...
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
VERY exciting news! I’m joining the @britishlibrary.bsky.social #TalesOfTheWeird series this December with ‘Summoned to the Séance: Spirit Tales from Beyond the Veil’!👻
Join hands around the séance table for 14 classics & lost gems of fiction inspired by the spiritualism movement🕯️
Join hands around the séance table for 14 classics & lost gems of fiction inspired by the spiritualism movement🕯️
November 18, 2024 at 2:40 PM
VERY exciting news! I’m joining the @britishlibrary.bsky.social #TalesOfTheWeird series this December with ‘Summoned to the Séance: Spirit Tales from Beyond the Veil’!👻
Join hands around the séance table for 14 classics & lost gems of fiction inspired by the spiritualism movement🕯️
Join hands around the séance table for 14 classics & lost gems of fiction inspired by the spiritualism movement🕯️
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
18 November 1870: The first seven female undergraduates studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh were confronted by a large crowd of students who were attempting to prevent them from going in to sit their exams in what became known as the "Surgeons' Hall Riot".
November 18, 2024 at 4:30 PM
18 November 1870: The first seven female undergraduates studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh were confronted by a large crowd of students who were attempting to prevent them from going in to sit their exams in what became known as the "Surgeons' Hall Riot".
Reposted by Bill Jenkins
My book, ‘Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics (1914-3014)’ is just out as paperback with @edinburghup.bsky.social
£21 instead of the £80 hardback!
From unionism to nationalism: the first study of Burns’s political afterlife in 20c Scotland 🏴
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-robert-...
£21 instead of the £80 hardback!
From unionism to nationalism: the first study of Burns’s political afterlife in 20c Scotland 🏴
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-robert-...
November 17, 2024 at 9:23 AM
My book, ‘Robert Burns and Scottish Cultural Politics (1914-3014)’ is just out as paperback with @edinburghup.bsky.social
£21 instead of the £80 hardback!
From unionism to nationalism: the first study of Burns’s political afterlife in 20c Scotland 🏴
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-robert-...
£21 instead of the £80 hardback!
From unionism to nationalism: the first study of Burns’s political afterlife in 20c Scotland 🏴
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-robert-...