Josh Smith
@smithjj.bsky.social
Historian of libraries, books and politics in 18th/19thC Britain and US | AHRC/SGSAH PhD from StirUni | Prev RA on Eighteenth-Century Libraries Online and Books and Borrowing (https://borrowing.stir.ac.uk/)| Volunteer guide @ Leighton Library, Dunblane
Pinned
Josh Smith
@smithjj.bsky.social
· Nov 20
A happy first Bluesky post. Last week I successfully defended my thesis. Thanks to my examiners, Kelsey Jackson Williams and Richard Whatmore, and chair, Phia Steyn, for a wonderful viva and to my supervisors, @emmamacleod95.bsky.social and Katie Halsey, for their support over the last four years.
Reposted by Josh Smith
Newly available, here’s recording on Leighton Library YouTube channel of Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith on Sat 15 Nov
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture by Dr Josh Smith
YouTube video by Leighton Library Dunblane
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Newly available, here’s recording on Leighton Library YouTube channel of Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith on Sat 15 Nov
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
Reposted by Josh Smith
Want to learn more about Scots in the British Army in North America? #HATM
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
November 22, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Want to learn more about Scots in the British Army in North America? #HATM
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
Reposted by Josh Smith
View the programme on our website here. So many fun and important papers, really demonstrating the quality and originality of research happening at this critical moment in the field.
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
www.rrrjournal.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
View the programme on our website here. So many fun and important papers, really demonstrating the quality and originality of research happening at this critical moment in the field.
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Registration for @rrrjournal.bsky.social's annual conference is now open! Please join us for what will be an intellectually stimulating and rewarding day for PGRs, ECRs, and academics to connect and discuss 'Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century'!
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century
The Romance, Revolution and Reform journal's annual conference
www.eventbrite.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Registration for @rrrjournal.bsky.social's annual conference is now open! Please join us for what will be an intellectually stimulating and rewarding day for PGRs, ECRs, and academics to connect and discuss 'Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century'!
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Come visit our excellent Archives & Special Collections! Especially strong in eighteenth-century and Romantic-period books due to the copyright privilege. Awards cover costs up to £2500.
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Come visit our excellent Archives & Special Collections! Especially strong in eighteenth-century and Romantic-period books due to the copyright privilege. Awards cover costs up to £2500.
This Saturday! Do come along if you're about in Dunblane!
All welcome on Sat 15 Nov at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to free 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This Saturday! Do come along if you're about in Dunblane!
Reposted by Josh Smith
It's a lifeline, not a comprehensive solution to the crisis, but if you're a UK-based PhD (or equivalent) in a SHAPE subject within 10 years of your viva, do join the British Academy's ECRN. It's free, has resources & you don't need to be employed in research or academia to be a member. 3/3
Early Career Researcher Network: key information for ECRs
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 AM
It's a lifeline, not a comprehensive solution to the crisis, but if you're a UK-based PhD (or equivalent) in a SHAPE subject within 10 years of your viva, do join the British Academy's ECRN. It's free, has resources & you don't need to be employed in research or academia to be a member. 3/3
Reposted by Josh Smith
I don't know anything about fantasy and sci-fi as genres - is there crossover?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
November 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
I don't know anything about fantasy and sci-fi as genres - is there crossover?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
Reposted by Josh Smith
All welcome on Sat 15 Nov at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to free 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
All welcome on Sat 15 Nov at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to free 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Any transcription help, please, lovely bluesky? My language skills don't extend beyond the place and date 🙏
October 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Any transcription help, please, lovely bluesky? My language skills don't extend beyond the place and date 🙏
Excited to be speaking in Dunblane on 15 Nov for the Leighton Library. I'll be sharing findings from my PhD and the @books-borrowing.bsky.social project.
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Excited to be speaking in Dunblane on 15 Nov for the Leighton Library. I'll be sharing findings from my PhD and the @books-borrowing.bsky.social project.
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
Reposted by Josh Smith
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the fascinating historic library, as Dr Josh h shares findings from his project completed at @stir.ac.uk
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
October 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the fascinating historic library, as Dr Josh h shares findings from his project completed at @stir.ac.uk
Reposted by Josh Smith
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
October 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
Reposted by Josh Smith
Here’s something to look forward to!
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
October 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Here’s something to look forward to!
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
Reposted by Josh Smith
And we're away. Bridget Phillipson is introducing the Post-16 Education and Skills paper. 1/x
BBC Parliament - House of Commons, Education Questions
Coverage of questions to Bridget Phillipson on Monday 20 October.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
And we're away. Bridget Phillipson is introducing the Post-16 Education and Skills paper. 1/x
Reposted by Josh Smith
I’d rather Sam did not do so much participant observation in hospitals but when he does he gets more insights into the problems of the NHS (this post is free). samf.substack.com/p/on-the-edg...?
On the edge
My week in the NHS
samf.substack.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:37 AM
I’d rather Sam did not do so much participant observation in hospitals but when he does he gets more insights into the problems of the NHS (this post is free). samf.substack.com/p/on-the-edg...?
Reposted by Josh Smith
For anyone who is #teaching #18thcentury politics and/or electoral culture, or is doing #localhistory or #familyhistory, do check out our ECPPEC web resource : it's chock-full of short informative essays, polling data, and artefacts #skystorians ecppec.ncl.ac.uk
Eighteenth-Century Political Participation & Electoral Culture
18th-century Britain is notorious for corrupt and restrictive politics, when few could vote, bribery and debauchery were commonplace. But it was also an age when modern democracy was being shaped.
ecppec.ncl.ac.uk
September 27, 2025 at 6:25 AM
For anyone who is #teaching #18thcentury politics and/or electoral culture, or is doing #localhistory or #familyhistory, do check out our ECPPEC web resource : it's chock-full of short informative essays, polling data, and artefacts #skystorians ecppec.ncl.ac.uk
Reposted by Josh Smith
Could Charli XCX be Gen Z's answer to Lord Byron?
Read my first @theconversation.com article to find out!!
theconversation.com/why-charli-x...
Read my first @theconversation.com article to find out!!
theconversation.com/why-charli-x...
Why Charli XCX might be Gen Z’s answer to the Romantic poets
Her lyrics are full of nods to the Romantics and share many of the same concerns.
theconversation.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Could Charli XCX be Gen Z's answer to Lord Byron?
Read my first @theconversation.com article to find out!!
theconversation.com/why-charli-x...
Read my first @theconversation.com article to find out!!
theconversation.com/why-charli-x...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Stephen Mullen, a highly regarded historian specialising in Scotland's links with Atlantic slavery, objects to a right wing scholar's flagrant misrepresentation of his own work and that of Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum's curators in @thetimes.com
alanlester.co.uk/blog/falsify...
alanlester.co.uk/blog/falsify...
Falsifying Heritage: The Denial and Disavowal of Glasgow’s Links with Atlantic Slavery
By Stephen Mullen In a recent article in The Times, (‘Scottish Taxpayers should not have to pay the price for Slavery, 7 June 2025), Professor Nigel Biggar misrepresented an exhibition in Glasgow’s…
alanlester.co.uk
September 24, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Stephen Mullen, a highly regarded historian specialising in Scotland's links with Atlantic slavery, objects to a right wing scholar's flagrant misrepresentation of his own work and that of Glasgow's Kelvingrove Museum's curators in @thetimes.com
alanlester.co.uk/blog/falsify...
alanlester.co.uk/blog/falsify...
Reposted by Josh Smith
History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.
Starting this week:
Starting this week:
Events
Stay up to date with the upcoming events organised or hosted by the Institute of Historical Research
www.history.ac.uk
September 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
History curious? You don't need to be in London (or the UK) to attend many Institute of Historical Research seminars, although if you're in Bloomsbury you'll enjoy doing so. Most are hybrid (online/in person). They're free, usually fortnightly and open to the public.
Starting this week:
Starting this week:
Reposted by Josh Smith
New #OpenAccess article on #FirstView
Vivienne Seonaid Dunstan, 'The Scottish urban hierarchy and its interaction with the print trade and venues for reading, as revealed by an 1820s trade directory'
doi.org/10.1017/S096... #UrbanHistory
Vivienne Seonaid Dunstan, 'The Scottish urban hierarchy and its interaction with the print trade and venues for reading, as revealed by an 1820s trade directory'
doi.org/10.1017/S096... #UrbanHistory
September 17, 2025 at 9:39 AM
New #OpenAccess article on #FirstView
Vivienne Seonaid Dunstan, 'The Scottish urban hierarchy and its interaction with the print trade and venues for reading, as revealed by an 1820s trade directory'
doi.org/10.1017/S096... #UrbanHistory
Vivienne Seonaid Dunstan, 'The Scottish urban hierarchy and its interaction with the print trade and venues for reading, as revealed by an 1820s trade directory'
doi.org/10.1017/S096... #UrbanHistory
Reposted by Josh Smith
5 days left to submit your abstract!
We're delighted to announce that the CfP for our 2026 conference @stir.ac.uk, 'Sex in the Long C19', is now LIVE!
We are grateful to have received generous funding from @bavs-uk.bsky.social, allowing us to award travel bursaries to some delegates.
Abstracts due 22 September 2025. Share widely!
We are grateful to have received generous funding from @bavs-uk.bsky.social, allowing us to award travel bursaries to some delegates.
Abstracts due 22 September 2025. Share widely!
September 17, 2025 at 10:50 AM
5 days left to submit your abstract!
Reposted by Josh Smith
We had such a great response to our History teachers webinar on teaching 'Migration and Empire' that we're offering another one! Come and find out about brand new resources co-created by teachers and academics: 4pm, Monday 29 Sept. Register here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decolonisi...
September 15, 2025 at 9:12 AM
We had such a great response to our History teachers webinar on teaching 'Migration and Empire' that we're offering another one! Come and find out about brand new resources co-created by teachers and academics: 4pm, Monday 29 Sept. Register here www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/decolonisi...
Reposted by Josh Smith
FT mag piece from me: Spent a long time looking into the Britannia hotel chain, beneficiaries of a vast amount of taxpayer money via the asylum system
on.ft.com/47HEE46
on.ft.com/47HEE46
The crumbling seaside palaces at the centre of Britain’s asylum crisis
[FREE TO READ] How one hotelier built an empire from beloved community assets — and a government struggling to cope with a surge in migration
on.ft.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
FT mag piece from me: Spent a long time looking into the Britannia hotel chain, beneficiaries of a vast amount of taxpayer money via the asylum system
on.ft.com/47HEE46
on.ft.com/47HEE46