Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 12th, 2019 Comments Off on Julia Corner: The Educator
Julia Corner or “Miss Corner” (1798–1875) was a prolific novelist, children’s writer, and educator, producing some 250 works in her lifetime. She was born in London, the daughter of John Corner, an engraver and printmaker. While she wrote several novels throughout her life, Julia Corner was much more influential in education and the publication of textbooks. She developed a series of […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on May 17th, 2019 Comments Off on You say Utopian, I say Dystopian
Utopia and dystopia are recognized genres of fiction that probe the fabric of humanity’s social, political, and cultural framework. Utopian novels present the author’s philosophical perspective of an ideal society, while dystopian fiction examines how civilization is prone to social and moral afflictions, technological compromises, and political abuse, corruption, and oppression. Some early pioneers […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Apr 23rd, 2019 Comments Off on Photographing the Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese War, 1904–5, grew out of a struggle for dominance and influence over Manchuria and Korea. Russia was interested in maintaining and expanding trading ports in warmer southern coastal areas and eyed both Manchuria and Korea as desirable. Japan was willing to negotiate an agreement where Russian could control Manchuria but leave Korea alone. […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Mar 15th, 2019 Comments Off on Leprechawns and Leprechauns
Folklorist D.R. McAnally Jr. researched and compiled an entire volume of Irish legends and tales, Irish Wonders, in 1888. While little is known about McAnally, his publication was especially significant for the literary giant, William Butler Yeats, who consulted this work as he incorporated Irish folktales into his own writings. McAnally’s compilation became the defacto […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Feb 14th, 2019 Comments Off on All is fair in love and war
Grant Allen (1848 – 1899), is not well remembered today, but he was a prolific Canadian science and science fiction writer, novelist, naturalist, and a strong supporter of evolution theory and feminist ideals. Educated in France and England, he started as a teacher, but soon moved to writing on scientific subjects. However, he gained his greatest success […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Jan 18th, 2019 Comments Off on The Baby Tender
19th century homes posed many hazards for babies and toddler, such as open fires and cooking utensils. Static wood cradles and other barriers were the default safeguard for preventing tragic accidents. However, most households did not use such devices, instead relying upon older children to watch over younger siblings. In the 1860s, Dr. J. Silas […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Dec 14th, 2018 Comments Off on The Eclectic Doctor – Wooster Beach
Wooster Beach (1794-1859), was an ardent opponent to the allopathic/heroic medical treatments developed in the 18th century, especially such remedies as blood-letting and purging with mercurials. Beach viewed these methods as both ineffective and likely detrimental to the patient. Instead, he was an advocate for keeping an open mind to treatment options and concentrating on […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Nov 14th, 2018 Comments Off on Carry On!
Towards the end of the First World War, the publishing company of Harrison and Jehring published a short series of photo-pamphlets on various aspects of the British war effort. Intended as morale boosters, each pamphlet conveyed the supreme level of sacrifice and resolute commitment by British citizens. The cover art mimicked the simple […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Oct 9th, 2018 Comments Off on 100 years of Oktoberfest
When Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese on Oct. 12 1810, the city of Munich celebrated the occasion over 5 days with a combination of horse races, drinking, and feasting. The anniversary celebrations continued each year, with a growing number of participants, activities, and displays, eventually becoming known as Oktoberfest. At the 100th anniversary of Oktoberfest […]
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Posted in Uncategorized on Sep 5th, 2018 Comments Off on Lillian Moller Gilbreth “The Mother of Modern Management”
Lillian Moller Gilbreth (1878-1972) was a pioneer in blending psychology and engineering into the management of the workplace. In recognition of her accomplishments, Lillian Gilbreth was the first woman to be elected to the National Academy of Engineering, and until recently, the only woman to have been awarded the Hoover Medal for great, unselfish, nontechnical services […]
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