G. Patrick O'Brien
@gpatrickobrien.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of History at the University of Tampa. Sharing my own thoughts on loyalism, loyalist refugees in Nova Scotia, teaching, and college basketball.
ut.academia.edu/GPatrickOBrien
ut.academia.edu/GPatrickOBrien
I’m not surprised.
November 22, 2025 at 4:41 PM
I’m not surprised.
After the conversation with Ken Burns, the University of Tampa did a quick interview with their resident historian of the Revolution for social media, which he doesn’t have. He hopes it turns out alright, and that people didn’t mind hearing a little bit more about the loyalists! 🇬🇧
November 21, 2025 at 1:52 AM
After the conversation with Ken Burns, the University of Tampa did a quick interview with their resident historian of the Revolution for social media, which he doesn’t have. He hopes it turns out alright, and that people didn’t mind hearing a little bit more about the loyalists! 🇬🇧
I'm a single issue viewer; however, I think the understanding that's developing of those opposed to the Revolution is both dated (see article from 1974) and flawed. It's fair to say "modern conservatives likely would have been loyalists," but not that contemporary loyalists were conservatives! #HATM
November 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I'm a single issue viewer; however, I think the understanding that's developing of those opposed to the Revolution is both dated (see article from 1974) and flawed. It's fair to say "modern conservatives likely would have been loyalists," but not that contemporary loyalists were conservatives! #HATM
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
October 31, 2025 at 7:35 PM
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!"
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.
Today, I got to take part in the “Pie a Professor” fundraiser. We had lots of students join in the fun, but the littlest participant was my favorite!
October 3, 2025 at 7:11 PM
Today, I got to take part in the “Pie a Professor” fundraiser. We had lots of students join in the fun, but the littlest participant was my favorite!
“Bluenose II cancels visit to U.S., cites 'uncertainties' with crossing the border”
Hell yeah, Bluenose.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hell yeah, Bluenose.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
August 26, 2025 at 5:19 PM
“Bluenose II cancels visit to U.S., cites 'uncertainties' with crossing the border”
Hell yeah, Bluenose.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Hell yeah, Bluenose.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I take my little one to our local library here in Tampa every Tuesday to get new books. Today he pulled this one off the shelf unassisted, proving he has some Maritime blood in him after all b'y! 🇨🇦
August 19, 2025 at 4:32 PM
I take my little one to our local library here in Tampa every Tuesday to get new books. Today he pulled this one off the shelf unassisted, proving he has some Maritime blood in him after all b'y! 🇨🇦
I'm looking forward to this event at Old North in September! If you know any teachers thinking about the Revolution during 250—or if you love Johnny Tremain—I know our conversation will be both engaging and enlightening!
I'm still building a presence here, so if you could share, I'd appreciate it!
I'm still building a presence here, so if you could share, I'd appreciate it!
July 23, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I'm looking forward to this event at Old North in September! If you know any teachers thinking about the Revolution during 250—or if you love Johnny Tremain—I know our conversation will be both engaging and enlightening!
I'm still building a presence here, so if you could share, I'd appreciate it!
I'm still building a presence here, so if you could share, I'd appreciate it!
Fun German word of the day: Wortfluss or "word flow," perfect for the moment writer’s block ends.
I think I've finally cracked what the loyalist refugee meant when she lamented losing, as she put it, "my New England head." I've been wanting to write this chapter for so long. Now to do it justice!
I think I've finally cracked what the loyalist refugee meant when she lamented losing, as she put it, "my New England head." I've been wanting to write this chapter for so long. Now to do it justice!
July 14, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Fun German word of the day: Wortfluss or "word flow," perfect for the moment writer’s block ends.
I think I've finally cracked what the loyalist refugee meant when she lamented losing, as she put it, "my New England head." I've been wanting to write this chapter for so long. Now to do it justice!
I think I've finally cracked what the loyalist refugee meant when she lamented losing, as she put it, "my New England head." I've been wanting to write this chapter for so long. Now to do it justice!
Can you imagine a piece of the universe more fit for princes and kings?
July 6, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Can you imagine a piece of the universe more fit for princes and kings?
The four horsemen of the apocalypse.
June 22, 2025 at 2:13 AM
The four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Amid all the discussion of the American Revolution's start 250 years ago, I've seen nothing on today being King George III's 287th birthday.
From loyalist refugee Mary Robie's diary, June 4, 1783, noting celebrations of the king's birth in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
From loyalist refugee Mary Robie's diary, June 4, 1783, noting celebrations of the king's birth in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
June 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Amid all the discussion of the American Revolution's start 250 years ago, I've seen nothing on today being King George III's 287th birthday.
From loyalist refugee Mary Robie's diary, June 4, 1783, noting celebrations of the king's birth in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
From loyalist refugee Mary Robie's diary, June 4, 1783, noting celebrations of the king's birth in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Birthright citizenship is MUCH older than the 14th Amendment.
In this 1784 letter, a father in exile notes that his status should have no bearing on his newborn daughter. She was born outside the US, and therefore not a US citizen—an advantage for loyalists refugees hoping to return after the Rev.
In this 1784 letter, a father in exile notes that his status should have no bearing on his newborn daughter. She was born outside the US, and therefore not a US citizen—an advantage for loyalists refugees hoping to return after the Rev.
February 17, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Birthright citizenship is MUCH older than the 14th Amendment.
In this 1784 letter, a father in exile notes that his status should have no bearing on his newborn daughter. She was born outside the US, and therefore not a US citizen—an advantage for loyalists refugees hoping to return after the Rev.
In this 1784 letter, a father in exile notes that his status should have no bearing on his newborn daughter. She was born outside the US, and therefore not a US citizen—an advantage for loyalists refugees hoping to return after the Rev.
For the fans of the Revolution in the room.
February 12, 2025 at 5:18 PM
For the fans of the Revolution in the room.
Any runners on here? These shoes have more than 1,000 miles on them. I know that I *should* buy new ones. But not only do I love this pair, they genuinely feel perfect on my feet and are not slowing me down. I've decided to wear them until I physically cannot any more! Is this a horrible idea?!
January 26, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Any runners on here? These shoes have more than 1,000 miles on them. I know that I *should* buy new ones. But not only do I love this pair, they genuinely feel perfect on my feet and are not slowing me down. I've decided to wear them until I physically cannot any more! Is this a horrible idea?!