Scholar
LightNews

David Underdown

Videos

David Edward Underdown was a historian of 17th-century English politics and culture and Professor Emeritus at Yale University. Born… more

H-index: 24
Political science 34%
History 28%
more

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#DigiPres the Digital Archiving Department at The National Archives (UK) is currently looking for a Digtial Archivist (Transfer) www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi... and 2 Data Engineers www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi.... ce.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
9 1

Reposted by David Underdown

Secret diplomatic message deciphered after 350 years www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/explore-the-...
Secret diplomatic message deciphered after 350 years
Ruth Selman shares an exciting update to her previous blog post about a 17th-century letter written in cipher.
www.nationalarchives.gov.uk
1 2

Reposted by David Underdown

philipcball.bsky.social
Just popped into the Royal Institution for a coffee, to discover they have a lovely display on benzene to mark the bicentenary of Faraday's discovery of it. Here are his notes, his paper, and one of his first samples. Glorious.
3 17 81

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks anti cyclonic gloom continues
4

Reposted by David Underdown

metoffice.gov.uk
When high pressure dominates the UK weather, many expect crisp blue skies and sunshine.

But as seasoned forecasters know, especially in the colder months, high pressure can bring something quite different: Anticyclonic Gloom.

But what is this weather pattern? www.metoffice.gov.uk/blog/2025/wh...
Blog post graphic titled "What is Anticyclonic Gloom?" from the Met Office, dated 13 October 2025. The background features a misty landscape with layers of fog over hills and trees, creating a calm and atmospheric scene.
2 7 34

Reposted by David Underdown

ncdominie.bsky.social
An image for #ALD25. This is Evelyn Strutt, Lady Rayleigh (www.npg.org.uk/collections/...).

She's not often numbered among "women in science", but she had a crucial role in the work attributed to her husband, because he didn't know German and she did.
Old photograph showing a woman in late Victorian costume holding a book.
1 10 25

Reposted by David Underdown

materialwills.bsky.social
Project Research Fellows Harry Smith and Emily Vine are looking forward to speaking as part of the Warwick History 'Post-Doc' Club series, next Wed 22 October @ 17.00.

They'll be discussing 'Digitization & Citizen Science'📜💻

Follow this link for Zoom details:
warwick.ac.uk/fac/arts/his...
A poster with a white background and black text, with a blue border at the top of the poster, and photographs of manuscripts. The title of the poster reads Warwick History ‘POST-DOC’ CLUB METHODOLOGIES SERIES. Online Meeting: Weds 22 October at 5pm DIGITIZATION & CITIZEN SCIENCE: Inviting collaborative research to transcribe handwriting. With Harry Smith and Emily Vine of the Material Culture of Wills, 1540-1790 project at the University of Exeter.
3 9

Reposted by David Underdown

gazza-d.bsky.social
My 5 top tips are:
1. Fit mudguards and mudflaps.
2. Keep it clean. A regular soapy wash is great
3. Keep it lubed.
4. Keep tyres inflated to almost the max pressure.
5. Swap derailleur gears for hub gears.
www.theguardian.com/thefilter/20...
‘Once a fortnight would save people hundreds’: how to make your bike last longer, according to experts
From avoiding overtightened bolts to giving it a good clean, here are the easy and affordable habits mechanics swear by
www.theguardian.com
7 8 32

Reposted by David Underdown

loucycle.bsky.social
Yet another 1 😢. How awful for her, her family& any witnesses.

She was doing everything right, as the article goes to great lengths to say.

& yet a driver still killed her.

BBC News - Cyclist Rebecca Comins' death investigated by Crash Detectives - BBC News
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Cyclist Rebecca Comins' death investigated by Crash Detectives
Rebecca Comins, described as a
www.bbc.co.uk
1 3 9

Reposted by David Underdown, Carl T. Bergstrom

generalising.bsky.social
I got very curious about this. You can trace Shearer's unit (21 CCS) and you can see what looks like the echo of his little blaze of fame: in Sept 1916 you get visits from various grandees including ... the editor of the BMJ, who presumably came to see for himself.
2 17 35

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks rather murky today
1 3

Reposted by David Underdown

claireboardman.bsky.social
Completely enamoured with this collection of C17th Welsh & English county maps, particularly the inclusion of county town plans in the corner of each. Intrigued by a Welsh county/town I'm not familiar with: Radnorshire/Radnor - now New Randor - which remains remarkably intact today. #MapMonday
Map extract showing the western edge of the county of Radnorshire and plan of the county town, Radnor from John Speed's 'Theatre of the Empire of Great Britaine', map 15/18. Summer satellite imagery of the village of New Radnor, Powys (north at top). Clearly showing remains of the original grid layout of medieval street, castle baille, just to the north of the village, and the outer wall around it's western edge (image accessed via Edina Digimaps).
4 32

by Joanna Bryson — Reposted by David Underdown

j2bryson.bsky.social
When you get to the part about the valves, you're like "this man invented memory"

via @gillianrbrown1.bsky.social !
trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social
Trish Greenhalgh @trishgreenhalgh.bsky.social · 3d
I need a Tommy Flowers Was Robbed t-shirt. Great piece!
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
Move over, Alan Turing: meet the working-class hero of Bletchley Park you didn’t see in the movies
The Oxbridge-educated boffin is feted as the codebreaking genius who helped Britain win the war. But should a little-known Post Office engineer named Tommy Flowers be seen as the real father of comput...
www.theguardian.com
1 2 11

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks very grey when I headed out just after 9am but had cleared up pretty well by the time I headed home again (still a little hazy)
View down towards Pen Ponds over grassland with some areas of bracken. A group of red deer in the mid-ground, mostly hinds with one stag ruling the roost. Several people gathered round (some rather too close) taking photos. All under a hazy blue sky A maple glowing red, orange and green in bright afternoon sun
1 7

Reposted by David Underdown, Lesley A. Hall

norfolkro.bsky.social
On this day nurse #EdithCavell and #PhilipeBaucq were shot at dawn for helping allied soldiers to escape Belgium during the First World War. This is a letter from one of those soldiers.
1 15 44

Reposted by David Underdown, Lesley A. Hall, Justin Lewis

davidnice.bsky.social
Excellent article. Shameful that it's 'either football or opera'. observer.co.uk/news/columni...
It’s not opera that’s elitist but the idea that art is to...
The myth that culture has not been for the masses is debunked in a new book
observer.co.uk
1 9 19

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
Have opened a Sicilian Red while I cook Ottolenghi’s Ricotta and oregano meatballs #ConfinedCocktails
10

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
Very. Though that wasn’t on the Roman Road section anyway

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
I’d forgotten that, but it would be the usual distinction here
1 1

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
Managed shorts and short sleeves for my ride today, and sitting outside at lunch
3

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
It’s a tart because it doesn’t have pastry on the top
1

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks Ashtead Common, St John the Baptist Old Malden and finally Beverley Brook
1 6

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks M25 to the right and left of me. Stane Street ahead of me. Once it might haven Imperial Roman messengers heading between Rome and Londinium, today just me and a few walkers
1 2

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks unexpected llamas (or possibly some other variety of camelid). Views from Epsom Racecourse
2 2

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks (still in progress) along the Hogsmill (London’s only chalk stream). Millais painted the Death of Ophelia and the Hireling Shepherd somewhere around here
1 4

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
#UnconfinedWalks a late ride. The stag had wandered across the road in front of me a moment before
1 3

by David Underdown

davidunderdown.bsky.social
Look at the etymology - win means earn (as in breadwinner)

Reposted by David Underdown, Lesley A. Hall

joshuatj.digipres.club.ap.brid.gy
Woohoo! Great #digipres story @makethecatwise
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20251009-rescuing-knowledge-trapped-on-old-floppy-disks
A digital dark age? The people rescuing forgotten knowledge trapped on old floppy disks
From lectures by Stephen Hawking to the letters of British politician Neil Kinnock – it's a race against time to save the historical treasures locked away on old floppy disks.
www.bbc.com
3 25 34

Reposted by David Underdown

miaout.bsky.social
Join me at two events at the British Library later this month:

On 20 October, the British Library joins forces with Wikimedia UK and the Wikimedia Foundation to explore the impact of AI on open knowledge and the wider information landscape. In-person only! www.bl.uk/stories/blog...
Knowledge is Human: The Information Ecosystem in the age of AI
A summit to mark the role of human-created, open knowledge in the age of AI and our collective responsibility to safeguard knowledge integrity and sustainability.
www.bl.uk
1 4 4

Reposted by David Underdown

wheelsforwellbeing.org.uk
In this clip, Wheels4Me loan recipient, Jeremy tells us how having access to cycling has helped him reconnect with his family & get back to doing things that were important to him.

Watch the full video on YouTube & find out how you can trial a cycle yourself at wheels4me.co.uk

youtu.be/q-ZnnXd3M2s
1 15 33

References

Fields & subjects

Updated 1m