There are four hand written copies of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas known to exist. Three are in museums while the fourth was sold in 2006 for $280,000
Jane Austen (16 December 1775 – 18 July 1817) one of the most wildly read authors in English literature whose social commentary has taken on a life of its own
Today is the anniversary of Alfred, Lord Tennyson publishing his poem The Charge of the Light Brigade (read poem). The poem commemorates are the actions of British soldiers during the Battle of Balaklava, in the Crimea.
Tomorrow is the birthday of famed Polish author Joseph Conrad (December 3, 1857 – August 3, 1924). Reading Conrad’s work one could see his development of an author from adventure stories to sophisticated works.
Yesterday I posted about the book Eleanor Roosevelt’s Life of Soul Searching and Self Discovery by Ann Atkins (my thoughts) which is the first in the “Flash History” series. Mrs. Roosevelt has always been a fascinating historical figure and I was happy to learn more about her.
Today, November 4 1918, poet and British Army officer Wilfred Owen was killed in action in France during World War I. Owen was 25 years old.
I recently read Bram Stoker’s Dracula and enjoyed it very much a well written story, here is a special Halloween edition of Fun Facts Friday
The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas has been one of my favorite novels for years, ever since I was a little boy. I’m glad to see that a new movie has been made, movies of famous books always generate interest in the original and get new following. Alexander Dumas based the book on historical events, but also took great liberties. It seems Dumas was more interested in writing good fiction than accurate history. However, those persons who did exist he captured without many grave errors.
October 14 1822, the anniversary of poet Victor Hugo & his childhood sweetheart Adèle Foucher. The marriage survived infidelities, children and scandal.
Today, October 7 in the year 1955 poet Allen Ginsberg read his seminal poem “Howl” at Six Gallery in San Francisco, California