Dr Mark Purcell
@camlibresearch.bsky.social
Director, Research and Collections, Cambridge University Library and CUL Research Institute; Bye-Fellow, Pembroke College; FSA FRHistS; University Deputy Proctor; The Country House Library (Yale, 2017); private views
A trophy is presented. Oh dear.
November 22, 2025 at 10:35 AM
A trophy is presented. Oh dear.
A splendid weekend in France.
November 16, 2025 at 8:33 PM
A splendid weekend in France.
I am in France this Saturday.
November 15, 2025 at 6:37 PM
I am in France this Saturday.
And now Cap Gris-Nez.
November 15, 2025 at 1:10 PM
And now Cap Gris-Nez.
At Cap Blanc-Nez, surveying the Channel in glittering sunshine.
November 15, 2025 at 12:09 PM
At Cap Blanc-Nez, surveying the Channel in glittering sunshine.
Walking to work.
November 13, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Walking to work.
Not a bad gate, as abbey gates go.
October 25, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Not a bad gate, as abbey gates go.
In Edinburgh briefly, and a quick pause at sunset to admire the seventeenth-century Tron Kirk, a handsome building.
October 22, 2025 at 6:28 PM
In Edinburgh briefly, and a quick pause at sunset to admire the seventeenth-century Tron Kirk, a handsome building.
Goodness, what an amazing café! Pre-dinner and snack in Lisbon.
October 17, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Goodness, what an amazing café! Pre-dinner and snack in Lisbon.
In Lisbon, and it’s just as splendidly cranky as I remembered. And glorious sunshine, too.
October 17, 2025 at 3:19 PM
In Lisbon, and it’s just as splendidly cranky as I remembered. And glorious sunshine, too.
Handsome but sulky, as usual.
October 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Handsome but sulky, as usual.
Autumn is definitely here. Mutton stew now consumed, Portuguese wine bedding in, and facing the advancing of the season …
October 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Autumn is definitely here. Mutton stew now consumed, Portuguese wine bedding in, and facing the advancing of the season …
On Saturday at the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, and a bit puzzled by this notice, on an open door leading onto a balcony above the Thames, at 1235pm.
October 8, 2025 at 4:14 PM
On Saturday at the Prospect of Whitby in Wapping, and a bit puzzled by this notice, on an open door leading onto a balcony above the Thames, at 1235pm.
Seem to have succumbed to Freshers’ Flu. A bit better for a day snoozing at home, and hopefully better still tomorrow. It’s very boring feeling ill.
October 8, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Seem to have succumbed to Freshers’ Flu. A bit better for a day snoozing at home, and hopefully better still tomorrow. It’s very boring feeling ill.
First of the year.
October 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
First of the year.
At Battersea Power Station, and it’s definitely like being back in Cambridge.
October 4, 2025 at 10:04 AM
At Battersea Power Station, and it’s definitely like being back in Cambridge.
Another year … Flags flying and bells ringing. Some sunshine would be good next.
October 1, 2025 at 8:25 AM
Another year … Flags flying and bells ringing. Some sunshine would be good next.
It’s very nearly October …
September 30, 2025 at 7:05 PM
It’s very nearly October …
The college banana tree seems to be surviving the autumn.
September 26, 2025 at 9:58 PM
The college banana tree seems to be surviving the autumn.
The new Dolby Quarter @pembroke1347.bsky.social looking very handsome in the evening sunshine today. In the background the mighty tower of the former Emmanuel United Reformed Church, a monster piece of rogue goth, and now the splendid Pembroke Auditorium.
September 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
The new Dolby Quarter @pembroke1347.bsky.social looking very handsome in the evening sunshine today. In the background the mighty tower of the former Emmanuel United Reformed Church, a monster piece of rogue goth, and now the splendid Pembroke Auditorium.
A fine autumn morning in Cambridge.
September 22, 2025 at 8:49 AM
A fine autumn morning in Cambridge.
A detour after a London meeting to visit St Etheldreda, Ely Place. The chapel is the main remnant of the former town palace of the bishops of Ely. The spectacular library of Bishop John Moore given to @theul.bsky.social by King George I in 1715 (and known as ‘the Royal Library’) was once kept here.
September 17, 2025 at 5:49 PM
A detour after a London meeting to visit St Etheldreda, Ely Place. The chapel is the main remnant of the former town palace of the bishops of Ely. The spectacular library of Bishop John Moore given to @theul.bsky.social by King George I in 1715 (and known as ‘the Royal Library’) was once kept here.
It was a dark and stormy night …
September 14, 2025 at 9:26 PM
It was a dark and stormy night …