Richard Lower
Richard Lower was the first to note the difference between arterial and venous blood. And he supported his findings with research Christopher Wren had done in the field of human blood transfusions....
Commandos
Drive one-mile north-west of the Highland village of Spean Bridge. Here you will find the remarkable bronze memorial commemorating the commandos (soldiers) in a dramatic setting overlooking Ben Nevis. In...
Daisy Greville
At 48, Bertie, the oldest son of Queen Victoria and thus the Prince of Wales, fell in love. And possibly for the first time. Her name was Daisy Greville and...
Ivar the Boneless
Ivar the Boneless was of Danish pedigreed pagan blood. He arrived in England in 865 to meet up with his brothers – Sigurd Snake-in-the-Eye, Bjorn Ironside, Halfdan and Ubba -...
Lord Chesterfield – ‘Distinguished Gentleman’?
Lord Chesterfield was known for his temper and discrimination. Many felt this was as a result of his anxiety.
Welsh Introduction
It is always a good idea to start a Welsh introduction with the origin of the name. Wales is Anglo-Saxon for “foreigner”. It has a population of just over 3...
The Monument
The Monument in London is a 'monstrous way up', according to Londoners soon after it was constructed. Christopher Wren wanted to commemorate The Great Fire of London of 1666. He...
Britain’s Liberal Economy in 1900
"Until August 1914 the sensible law-abiding Englishman could pass through life and hardly notice the existence of the state." A.J.P. Taylor, British Historian Pre 1900 most people on the globe...
London’s Burning!
London’s burning, London’s burning, Fetch the engines, fetch the engines; Fire, fire, fire, fire! Pour on water, pour on water. So many fires Although many believe that the nursery rhyme,...
Growing Up in Apartheid South Africa
Growing up in apartheid South Africa was all about division. A country that was clear about the division – whites and non-whites. But if you were Chinese, you were ‘more...
Peter the Wild Boy
The story of Peter the Wild Boy began in the Forest of Hertswold in Germany in 1725. A feral child of about 10 or 11 was found naked by local...
Madame Tussaud
Madame Tussaud created the famous exhibition of wax figures in London. And it has a remarkable history. After the death of her father in the Seven Year War, Marie Tussaud...