otd

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is first published in the US.</p><p>The initial manuscript was titled "Go Set a Watchman," featuring Scout Finch as an adult woman. An editor at J.B. Lippincott & Co., suggested extensive revisions, focusing on Scout's childhood instead. Over the next 2 years, Lee reworked the manuscript, shifting the perspective to young Scout & expanding the story to explore themes of racial injustice & moral growth. The title was changed to "To Kill a Mockingbird."</p>

First-edition cover of To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by the American author Harper Lee.

Cover of the book showing title in white letters against a black background in a banner above a painting of a portion of a tree against a red background.

3 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Happy birthday Cesar Lattes, Brazilian physicist who was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> 100 years ago!</p><p>He became well-known for his work on cosmic rays. In 1947, while working at the University of Bristol in England with Cecil Powell & Giuseppe Occhialini, he played a crucial role in the discovery of the pion. He also contributed to the early development of the CERN. Lattes worked extensively in Brazil, particularly at the Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Físicas and the Universidade Estadual de Campinas.</p><p><a href="/tags/physics/" rel="tag">#physics</a></p>

Photograph of César Lattes.

Lattes is typically portrayed in a formal, posed manner. He is often seated or standing in a relaxed yet professional posture, looking directly at the camera or engaged in a thoughtful pose.

His expression is serious and contemplative, befitting a scientist deeply engrossed in his work. There is a sense of calm intelligence in his gaze.

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1598.</p><p>William Shakespeare's play, The Merchant of Venice (under the title "the Marchaunt of Venyce or otherwise called the Jewe of Venyce") is entered on the Stationers' Register. By decree of Queen Elizabeth, the Stationers' Register licensed printed works, giving the Crown tight control over all published material.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merchant_of_Venice" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merchant_of_Venice"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Merc</span><span class="invisible">hant_of_Venice</span></a></p><p>The Merchant of Venice at PG:<br><a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1515" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>gutenberg.org/ebooks/1515</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/theatre/" rel="tag">#theatre</a></p>

Title page of the first quarto of The Merchant of Venice Transcript The moſt excellent Hiſtorie of the Merchant of Venice. VVith the extreame crueltie of Shylocke the Iewe towards the ſayd Merchant, in cutting a iuſt pound of his fleſh: and the obtayning of Portia by the choyſe of three cheſts. As it hath beene diuers times acted by the Lord Chamberlaine his seruants. Written by William Shakeſpeare. AT LONDON, Printed by l. R. for Thomas Heyes, and are to be ſold in Paules Church-yard, at the ſigne of the Greene Dragon. 1600.

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1897.</p><p>The writer Jack London sails to join the Klondike Gold Rush, where he will write his first successful stories.</p><p>His most famous works include The Call of the Wild and White Fang, both set in Alaska and the Yukon during the Klondike Gold Rush, as well as the short stories "To Build a Fire", "An Odyssey of the North", and "Love of Life".</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_London"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Lon</span><span class="invisible">don</span></a></p><p>Books by Jack London at PG:</p><p><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/120" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/120"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/120</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Jack London (date unknown)
Bain Collection - Library of Congress

The photograph features Jack London, the renowned American author, best known for his adventure novels such as "The Call of the Wild" and "White Fang." He is captured in a candid or semi-formal pose.

The background is either plain or slightly out of focus, ensuring the main focus remains on Jack London. It might be a studio setting or an outdoor scene, providing a neutral backdrop that highlights London himself.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1918.</p><p>Emmy Noether's paper, which became known as Noether's theorem was presented at Göttingen, Germany, from which conservation laws are deduced for symmetries of angular momentum, linear momentum, and energy.</p><p>This is the first of two theorems (see Noether's second theorem) proven by mathematician Emmy Noether in 1915 and published in 1918.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_theorem" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_theorem"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%</span><span class="invisible">27s_theorem</span></a></p><p>Noether's second theorem:<br><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_second_theorem" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%27s_second_theorem"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noether%</span><span class="invisible">27s_second_theorem</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/science/" rel="tag">#science</a> <a href="/tags/mathematics/" rel="tag">#mathematics</a></p>

First page of Emmy Noether's article "Invariante Variationsprobleme" (1918), where she proved her theorem.
Emmy Noether - "Invariante Variationsprobleme" (Nachrichten von der Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen, Mathematisch-Physikalische Klasse 1918 (1918): 235-257. <http://eudml.org/doc/59024>)

3 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Italian journalist and novelist Matilde Serao died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1927.</p><p>She was the first woman called to edit an Italian newspaper, Il Corriere di Roma and later Il Giorno. Serao was also the co-founder and editor of the newspaper Il Mattino, and the author of several novels. She never won the Nobel Prize in Literature despite being nominated on six occasions.</p><p>Books by Matilde Serao at PG:<br><a href="https://dev.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/7688" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="dev.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/7688"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">dev.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/7688</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Matilde Serao. Photo from the magazine Radiocorriere (1890).

Matilde Serao is depicted in a seated position, facing slightly to her right. Her expression is composed and thoughtful, reflecting her intellectual demeanor.

She is dressed in elegant, period-appropriate clothing, featuring high-necked attire with intricate detailing, possibly lace or embroidery, signifying her status and style of the era.

Her hair is styled in an elaborate updo, common among women of her social standing during the 1890s. She may be adorned with minimal jewelry, such as earrings or a brooch, adding to her refined appearance.

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>German humanist, scholar, & historian Beatus Rhenanus died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1547.</p><p>Rhenanus worked as a proofreader & editor for the famous printing house of Froben in Basel. His work "Rerum Germanicarum Libri Tres", published in 1531, provided a comprehensive history of Germany from ancient times to the present & was noted for its use of original sources. The Beatus Rhenanus Library houses many of his manuscripts & personal collections, preserving his legacy.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatus_Rhenanus" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatus_Rhenanus"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beatus_R</span><span class="invisible">henanus</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Beatus Rhenanus (1485-1547), German humanist. Engraving by Johann Jacob Haid.

Beatus Rhenanus is depicted in a half-length pose, turned slightly to his right. Rhenanus is dressed in traditional Renaissance clothing, which includes a doublet with a high collar and a fur-trimmed mantle, indicative of his status and the period's fashion.

Title page of the Libri tres institutionum rerum Germanicarum.

The title "Libri tres institutionum rerum Germanicarum" is prominently displayed at the top of the page, often in a bold, ornate font that reflects the importance of the text. Below the title, the author's name, "Beatus Rhenanus," is typically printed, acknowledging his role as the compiler or author.

The typography is characteristic of the Renaissance period, with a combination of Roman and italic typefaces. Ornamental elements, such as decorative borders or flourishes, often surround the title, enhancing the page's visual appeal.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Canadian writer Mazo de la Roche died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1961.</p><p>Her first novel, "Possession," was published in 1923. Although it did not achieve significant success, it marked the beginning of her career as a novelist. De la Roche achieved international fame with the publication of "Jalna" in 1927. The "Jalna" series comprises 16 novels, written over a span of more than three decades. </p><p>Books by Mazo de la Roche at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/31212" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/31212"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/31212</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Photo of Mazo de la Roche taken by Melvin Ormond Hammond on December 18, 1927.

Mazo de la Roche is depicted in a formal and composed manner. She is seated, facing slightly to the side but with her gaze directed towards the camera, creating a sense of engagement with the viewer.

Her expression is thoughtful and serene, reflecting the introspective nature of a writer. There is a hint of a smile, suggesting a moment of quiet confidence and contentment.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

150d

<p>“The understated power of this writing is extraordinary. Something of that sense of human vision seeing beyond the time of its own life’s duration, surely appealed to T. S. Eliot, who published The Silver Darlings and more of Gunn’s novels”<br>—Prof Alan Riach re-examines Gunn’s legacy</p><p>Neil M. Gunn (1891–1973), one of the most important writers of the 20th century Scottish renaissance, was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a>, 8 Nov – a 🎂 🧵 </p><p>1/5</p><p><a href="https://www.thenational.scot/news/15637617.neil-gunn-and-the-search-for-scotlands-soul/" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.thenational.scot/news/15637617.neil-gunn-and-the-search-for-scotlands-soul/"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.thenational.scot/news/1563</span><span class="invisible">7617.neil-gunn-and-the-search-for-scotlands-soul/</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/scottish/" rel="tag">#Scottish</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/modernism/" rel="tag">#modernism</a> <a href="/tags/20thcentury/" rel="tag">#20thcentury</a></p>

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Italian draughtsman and printmaker Stefano della Bella died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1664.</p><p>He received significant support from Cardinal Giovanni Carlo de' Medici. His early works included small prints & book illustrations. Della Bella lived in Paris (1639-50), where he worked for publishers & collected engravings. After returning to Florence in 1650, he continued to produce prints & drawings. He also taught etching & drawing, including Pietro Testa.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefano_della_Bella" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefano_della_Bella"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefano_</span><span class="invisible">della_Bella</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/engraving/" rel="tag">#engraving</a> <a href="/tags/illustrations/" rel="tag">#illustrations</a></p>

Portrait of the painter Stephanus de la Belle in the book 'Het gulden cabinet vande edel vry schilder const inhoudende den lof vande vermarste schilders, architecten, beldthouwers ende plaetsnyders, van dese eeuw' (587 p.) - (translated as "The Golden Cabinet of the Noble Free Art of Painting Containing the Praise of the Most Famous Painters, Architects, Sculptors, and Engravers of This Century").

Stephanus de la Belle is presented in a formal pose, looking directly at the viewer or slightly to the side, which was customary to convey the subject's dignity and intellect. His expression is composed and thoughtful, befitting an artist known for his intricate and imaginative works. He is dressed in contemporary clothing, likely a doublet with a collar, which reflects his status and the fashion of the time. His hair is neatly styled, possibly curly or wavy, and he may have a beard or mustache, features that were often included to add character to the portrait.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1995.</p><p>Hale–Bopp, one of the most widely observed comets of the 20th century, was independently discovered by astronomers Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp, before it became visible to the naked eye.</p><p>It was visible to the naked eye for a record 18 months, due to its massive nucleus size. This is twice as long as the Great Comet of 1811, the previous record holder. Accordingly, Hale–Bopp was dubbed the great comet of 1997.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Hale%E2%80%93Bopp" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Hale%E2%80%93Bopp"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comet_Ha</span><span class="invisible">le%E2%80%93Bopp</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/astronomy/" rel="tag">#astronomy</a> <a href="/tags/comet/" rel="tag">#comet</a></p>

Comet Hale-Bopp

H.A. Weaver (Applied Research Corp.), P.D. Feldman (The Johns Hopkins University), and NASA - Comet Hale-Bopp

3 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/onthisday/" rel="tag">#OnThisDay</a>, 10 Aug 1993, Ruth Bader Ginsburg is sworn in as an Associate Justice on the US Supreme Court.</p><p><a href="/tags/womeninhistory/" rel="tag">#WomenInHistory</a> <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> <a href="/tags/history/" rel="tag">#History</a> <a href="/tags/womenshistory/" rel="tag">#WomensHistory</a> <a href="/tags/americanhistory/" rel="tag">#AmericanHistory</a> <a href="/tags/histodons/" rel="tag">#Histodons</a></p>

Ruth Bader Ginsberg being sworn in, with Bill Clinton behind her. She is short, and had yet to develop her signature giant collar style.

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>French novelist and playwright Honoré de Balzac died <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1850.</p><p>Novelist, art critic, playwright, literary critic, essayist, journalist and printer, he left one of the most imposing works of fiction in French literature, with more than ninety novels and short stories published between 1829 and 1855 under the title La Comédie humaine. </p><p>Books by Honoré de Balzac at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/251" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/251"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/251</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Balzac et les personnages de la Comédie humaine. Dessin à la plume pour un projet d'éventail, par Jean-Jacques Grandville (Paris, Maison de Balzac).

This preparatory drawing for a fan, probably never executed, shows Balzac in vest, brandishing his cane, whose knob is here adorned with a female face. Seated against a stack of books, he dominates a procession of women, some harnessed to the carriage in which the writer is seated, others behind the convoy, their hands clasped in devotion. At the end of the procession, an old woman admonishes two young girls, no doubt to forbid them from taking part in an event reserved for women educated in the ways of life.

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1887.</p><p>L. L. Zamenhof published Unua Libro, the first publication to describe Esperanto, a constructed international language.</p><p>First published in Russian on July 26 [O.S. July 14] 1887, the publication of Unua Libro marks the formal beginning of the Esperanto movement.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unua_Libro" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unua_Libro"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unua_Lib</span><span class="invisible">ro</span></a></p><p>Books in Esperanto at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/bookshelf/34" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/bookshelf/34"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/books</span><span class="invisible">helf/34</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

This is the cover page of Dr. Esperanto's International Language, the 1889 translation of Unua Libro by Richard Geoghegan, which is also the standard English translation.

2 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1928.</p><p>The novel The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall</p><p>Publication, originally scheduled for late 1928, was brought forward when he discovered that another novel with a lesbian theme, Compton Mackenzie's Extraordinary Women, was to be published in September. The Well appeared on 27 July, in a black cover with a plain jacket. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Well_of_Loneliness" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Well_of_Loneliness"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Well</span><span class="invisible">_of_Loneliness</span></a></p><p>The Well of Loneliness at PG:<br><a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/73042" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>gutenberg.org/ebooks/73042</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Cover of The Well of Loneliness
Radclyffe Hall - Banned Books (Cornell University Library Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections)

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>French writer and historian Hilaire Belloc was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1870.</p><p>His notable works include "The Path to Rome" (1902), a travel book about his journey on foot from central France to Rome, and his biographies of historical figures like Oliver Cromwell and Joan of Arc. He is also remembered for his humorous verse, especially his collection of children’s poetry, "Cautionary Tales for Children" (1907), which includes famous poems such as "Matilda" and "Jim".</p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Hilaire Belloc portrait by T. & R. Annan & Sons, vintage bromide print, 1910.

Belloc is seated or standing in a composed and relaxed manner, looking face right to the camera. His expression is serious, reflecting his intellectual and authoritative persona.

He is dressed in formal attire, likely a dark suit and tie, typical of the period. This formal dress emphasizes his status as a respected figure in literature and politics.

Title page of The path to Rome
by Belloc, Hilaire, 1870-1953; Connelly, Myles E., former owner. MChB-B

The title is printed in a prominent, elegant font, typical of early 20th-century book design, reflecting the formal and historical nature of the travel narrative.

Centered near the top of the page, drawing immediate attention.
Author: Hilaire Belloc

The author's name is printed in a slightly smaller, yet equally distinguished font below the title.

Centered below the title, maintaining a clean and organized layout.

2 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>French botanist and explorer Jeanne Barret was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1740.</p><p>She is best known for being the first woman to circumnavigate the globe with Bougainville's expedition on the Boudeuse and Étoile from 1766 to 1769. Disguised as a man, under the name Jean Barret, she enlisted as a valet and assistant to the expedition's naturalist, Philibert Commerson, shortly before the expedition's ships weighed anchor. According to Bougainville, she was an expert in botany.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Baret" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_Baret"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeanne_B</span><span class="invisible">aret</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/botany/" rel="tag">#botany</a></p>

Jeanne Barre
Unkwown - 18th century print. Originally found in Navigazioni di Cook del grande oceano e intorno al globo, Vol. 2 (1816) d'après Cristoforo Dall'Acqua (1734-1787).

Allegorical portrait of Jeanne Baret dressed as a sailor, dating from 1817, after her death.

The central figure of the portrait is Jeanne Baret, a French woman known for disguising herself as a man to participate in Louis Antoine de Bougainville's expedition around the world, making her the first woman to circumnavigate the globe.

Baret is depicted dressed as a sailor, wearing traditional seafaring clothing of the 18th century. This includes a loose-fitting shirt, trousers, and a sailor's hat, which symbolize her disguise and adventurous spirit.

Edited 1y ago

3 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Italian poet, writer, literary critic and teacher Giosuè Carducci was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1835.</p><p>His poetry collections, such as "Rime nuove" and "Odi barbare", are notable for their classical forms and themes, often drawing inspiration from ancient Roman and Greek literature. In addition to his literary work, Carducci was a respected academic. He taught Italian literature at the University of Bologna for many years.</p><p>Books by Giosuè Carducci at PG:<br><a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/43982" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/43982"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/autho</span><span class="invisible">r/43982</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a></p>

Carducci, c. 1900
R. Borghi - http://benignomigliarino.blogspot.com/2010/04/carducci-giosue.html

Carducci is seated, exuding an air of wisdom and intellectual gravitas. His expression is serious and contemplative, suggestive of a man deeply engaged with his thoughts and scholarly pursuits.

He is dressed formally in a dark suit, complete with a waistcoat, white shirt, and a bow tie. His attire is indicative of his position and the era, presenting him as a respectable and authoritative figure.

Carducci's face is marked by his prominent features: a broad forehead, bushy eyebrows, and a full, well-groomed beard and mustache that frame his face. His eyes, though seemingly stern, carry a depth that hints at his reflective nature.

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>"The time is out of joint: O cursed spite,<br>That ever I was born to set it right!"<br>Hamlet, Act I, scene v.</p><p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1759.</p><p>The earliest known professional performance of Shakespeare's Hamlet in North America (in Garrick's version) is given by the American Company in Philadelphia, with Lewis Hallam Jr. as Hamlet.</p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamlet</a></p><p>Hamlet at PG:<br><a href="https://gutenberg.org/ebooks/1524" rel="nofollow"><span class="invisible">https://</span>gutenberg.org/ebooks/1524</a></p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/theatre/" rel="tag">#theatre</a></p>

David Garrick expresses Hamlet's shock at his first sighting of the ghost (artist: unknown).

1 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>American writer Herman Melville was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1819.</p><p>Melville's first two books, "Typee" (1846) and "Omoo" (1847), were based on his adventures in the South Seas and were quite popular. These semi-autobiographical novels painted a romanticized view of life among the Pacific Islanders. Published in 1851, "Moby-Dick" is considered Melville's masterpiece. Initially, the book was not well-received, and its complex structure and themes puzzled readers and critics alike.</p><p><a href="/tags/books/" rel="tag">#books</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a><br>1/3</p>

Herman Melville, American author. Reproduction of photograph, frontispiece to Journal Up the Straits.

The reproduction of the photograph of Herman Melville, featured as the frontispiece to "Journal Up the Straits," presents a distinguished and contemplative image of the American author. Melville is depicted in a formal pose, wearing a dark suit jacket and a vest over a white shirt, with a neatly tied cravat. His beard, full and well-groomed, frames a face that conveys both gravitas and introspection.

In this portrait, Melville's hair is neatly combed, and his expression is one of serious thoughtfulness, reflecting the depth and complexity of his literary works.

Edited 1y ago

3 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Norwegian mathematician Niels Henrik Abel was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1802.</p><p>His most famous single result is the first complete proof demonstrating the impossibility of solving the general quintic equation in radicals. This question was one of the outstanding open problems of his day, and had been unresolved for over 250 years. He was also an innovator in the field of elliptic functions and the discoverer of Abelian functions. </p><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Henrik_Abel" rel="nofollow" class="ellipsis" title="en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_Henrik_Abel"><span class="invisible">https://</span><span class="ellipsis">en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niels_He</span><span class="invisible">nrik_Abel</span></a></p><p><a href="/tags/science/" rel="tag">#science</a> <a href="/tags/mathematics/" rel="tag">#mathematics</a></p>

Portrait of Niels Henrik Abel
by Johan Gørbitz

Abel's face is portrayed with a serious and focused expression, his eyes gazing slightly away from the viewer, suggesting deep thought or reflection.

He is dressed in early 19th-century clothing, typical of an educated individual of his time. The attire is formal, often including a high-collared shirt and a dark coat.

Page from notebook of Niels Henrik Abel

3 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

150d

<p>Wilhelm Röntgen discovered X-rays <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1895 when he noticed that emanations from a Crookes tube caused a platino-barium screen to fluoresce. The rays exposed photographic plates but were blocked by bone and metal.</p><p>This early plate shows his wife's hand.</p><p>Image: Wellcome Trust</p>

One of the first X-ray photographs, an exposure of the left hand of Rontgen's wife. You can see her four finger, the dark mass of a ring on her ring finger, and the faint shadow of the soft tissue.

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

150d

<p>The bell that tolls my syllables can tell<br>An underwater tale, clang how there fell<br>Suddenly out of a surface shouting world<br>Into dumb calm doomed children…</p><p>—“S.S. City of Benares”, by George Sutherland Fraser (1915–1980) – born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a>, 8 Nov. </p><p>On 18 September, 1940, at one minute past midnight, the SS CITY OF BENARES was torpedoed in the Atlantic. Of 134 passengers, 90 were child refugees bound for Canada. Only 13 children survived.</p><p><a href="/tags/scottish/" rel="tag">#Scottish</a> <a href="/tags/literature/" rel="tag">#literature</a> <a href="/tags/poem/" rel="tag">#poem</a> <a href="/tags/poetry/" rel="tag">#poetry</a> <a href="/tags/warpoetry/" rel="tag">#WarPoetry</a> <a href="/tags/ww2/" rel="tag">#WW2</a> <a href="/tags/refugees/" rel="tag">#refugees</a></p>

G.S. Fraser
S.S. City of Benares
(Drowned refugee children, 1940)

The bell that tolls my syllables can tell
An underwater tale, clang how there fell
Suddenly out of a surface shouting world
Into dumb calm doomed children, and there curled
(Currents’ sick fingers whispering at their hair)
Round them a coiling clutch, was our despair.
Sea’s soft sad pressure, like the sprawl of love,
Darkly spreadeagled, so they could not move,
The wide wet mouth was heavy, they would choke,
Till in that cold confusion pity spoke:
“This is a nightmare and one is asleep.
This is a dream, my brave one, do not weep,
Often may drown in dreams and not be dead:
Such weight is mother leaning on your bed.”

But having thought of this to cheat my pain,
That woe and wonder harrows me again,
Fat clouds seem bulked like whales, while through the green
Grave tons of twilight, in a submarine
Solidity of air like sea I move,
Pressure of horror how our hate hurts love.
Deeper than grief can plummet, mercy lies,
But not so deep as trust in children’s eyes,
Justice is high in heaven, but more high
Blood of the innocent shall smear the sky—
Or think that red the flame of seraph wings,
See stained-glass heaven, where each darling sings
In God’s dark luminous world of green and gold
As lovely as death’s waters, but less cold:
Think what you will, but like the crisping leaf
In whipped October, crack your thoughts to grief.
In the drenched valley, whimpering and cold,
The small ghosts flicker, whisper, unconsoled.

0 0 0 View Post & Replies See Original

150d

<p>Lynda Carter as WONDER WOMAN punched her first Nazi on this date in 1975.</p><p>50 years later, she's still a hero to us all. 🇺🇸 </p><p><a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> <a href="/tags/wonderwoman/" rel="tag">#WonderWoman</a> <a href="/tags/classictv/" rel="tag">#ClassicTV</a> <a href="/tags/1970stv/" rel="tag">#1970sTV</a></p>

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

1y

<p>Astronomer Helen Sawyer Hogg was born <a href="/tags/otd/" rel="tag">#OTD</a> in 1905. She was an authority on variable stars and globular clusters, and a pioneer of communicating science to the public.</p><p>Image: University of Toronto, Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics</p>

Black and white photo of Helen Sawyer Hogg standing next to a large telescope in an observatory. She is wearing a dark dress with short sleeves, a necklace, and a lapel pin that appears to be flowers but may be stars. The dome of the observatory appears to be open, because part of the wall behind her seems to illuminated. She holds a journal or magazine in her hands, and is looking to the right of the photographer.

0 0 1 View Post & Replies See Original

Previous Page Next Page