Stuff You Missed in History Class

William Weare's murder was brutal, gruesome, and a source of complete fascination for the public, and it set the stage for illustrated crime reporting. Research: Cunningham, Alice. “Radlett: The horrifying 19th century murder that put Hertfordshire's most affluent town on the map.” Hertfordshire Mercury. 11/18/2020. https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/radlett-horrifying-...

This 2012 episode from previous hosts Sarah and Deblina covers the unusual circumstances surrounding Edgar Allan Poe's disappearance, reappearance, and death.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holly and Tracy talk about college experiences with Gothic literature, and modern analysis of Ann Radcliffe's work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Once Ann Radcliffe retired from publishing, all kinds of rumors started to spread about her, including some that distressed her greatly. After she died, there was even more speculation. Research: Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Ann Radcliffe".  Encyclopedia Britannica , 5 Jul. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ann-Radcliffe-English-author Radcliffe, Ann. “The Romance of the For...

In the space of a decade, Ann Radcliffe married, started writing, and had an incredibly successful career as an author. But after her 1797 novel, she retired, much to the confusion of her readers.  Research:  Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Ann Radcliffe".  Encyclopedia Britannica , 5 Jul. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ann-Radcliffe-English-author Radcliffe, Ann. “The Roman...

This 2020 episode covers Mother Shipton, who may or may not have been a real person. She's described as everything from an oracle to a witch to the daughter of the devil, depending on which of the many sources you’re reading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracy talks about how Grimaldi's memoirs read more like a Dickens novel than a source of biographical information. Then, Holly and Tracy talk about plant diseases.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The eponymous Bramley and McIntosh apples are both lucky accidents, and both of them have stories which stretch from the early 19th century into present day.  Research: Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Ann Radcliffe".  Encyclopedia Britannica , 5 Jul. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ann-Radcliffe-English-author Radcliffe, Ann. “The Romance of the Forest, interspersed with some...

Joseph Grimaldi was one of England’s most famous Regency-era entertainers. Sometimes he’s described as the first modern clown, because he established a lot of the hallmarks of clowning that still exist today.  Research: Boyle, Laura. “Joseph Grimaldi, King of Clowns.” Jane Austen Centre. 4/14/2014. https://janeausten.co.uk/blogs/uncategorized/joseph-grimaldi-king-clowns Grimaldi, Joseph. “Memoirs...

This 2019 episode covers Frieda Belinfante who broke gender barriers in becoming a conductor. She was also a member of the Dutch resistance, who risked her life during WWII in defiance of the German occupation of the Netherlands. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holly shares how Stewart appealed to women customers in his ads. Tracy shares some inconsistencies in the spelling of Isabel González's name in the official record.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gonzales v. Williams is one of the Insular Cases, and because it was about the citizenship status of Isabel González of Puerto Rico, it stands out from the many other Insular Cases that focus on goods and tariffs. Research:  Burnett, Christina Duffy. "’They say I am not an American...’: The Noncitizen National and the Law of American Empire.” Virginia Journal of International Law. Vol. 48, No. 4....

Alexander Turney Stewart is known as the creator of the department store. He make a fortune in business, but the most interesting parts of his life story come at the end – including after he died.  Research: “Act of Congress Establishing the Treasury Department.” U.S. Department of the Treasury. https://home.treasury.gov/history/act-of-congress-establishing-the-treasury-department “A.T. Stewart’s...

This 2018 episode covers Henry Every, who carried out what's been described as the most profitable and brutal pirate raid in history. It became a massive international incident. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracy talks about how she was particularly fascinated by Dean Mahomed's entrepreneurial efforts. She and Holly also marvel at the many career pivots Mahomed made.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After Dean Mahomed sailed to Cork in January of 1784, he continued to work for Godfrey Evan Baker. But after Baker's death, Mahomed became an entrepreneur. Research: Bartlett, James. “Dean Mahomet: travel writer, curry entrepreneur and shampooer to the king.” History Ireland. Issue 5. September/October 2007. https://www.historyireland.com/dean-mahomet-travel-writer-curry-entrepreneur-and-shampooer...

Dean Mahomed was in northeastern India in 1759, and he had a life of unique experiences, starting with becoming part of the entourage of Anglo-Irish soldier Godfrey Evan Baker.  Research: Bartlett, James. “Dean Mahomet: travel writer, curry entrepreneur and shampooer to the king.” History Ireland. Issue 5. September/October 2007. https://www.historyireland.com/dean-mahomet-travel-writer-curry-entr...

This 2018 episode focuses on the adult life of Mary, Queen of Scots – especially the conspiracy that ultimately led to her execution in 1587.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Holly and Tracy discuss the appeal of secret societies and the unity that people sometimes find in vilifying an outcast.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When William Morgan's manuscript "Illustrations of Masonry" was finally published, it was really kind of boring. So why were people so eager to suppress it, and what truly happened to him after his abduction? Research: “An Old Story Revived.” New York Times. July 9, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20379152/?terms=%22william%20morgan%22&match=1 “Another Morgan Story.” New York Times. Jul...

In 1826, William Morgan, who lived in Batavia, New York, advertised that he was writing a book that would expose the secrets of the Freemasons. And then he vanished. Research: “An Old Story Revived.” New York Times. July 9, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/image/20379152/?terms=%22william%20morgan%22&match=1 “Another Morgan Story.” New York Times. July 22, 1881. https://www.newspapers.com/imag...

This 2019 episode covers Benjamin Lay, a Quaker and a radical abolitionist who lived in the period between when the Religious Society of Friends began and when it started formally banning slave ownership among its members. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tracy discusses her love of medieval history, and how much Licoricia's story surprised her. She and Holly then both discuss the importance of proper sunscreen application.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People around the globe have protected their skin using a variety of substances throughout history. In the 19th and 20th centuries, deeper understanding of sunlight and the way it affects skin led to more protective sunscreen formulations.  Research: Aldahan AS, Shah VV, Mlacker S, Nouri K. “The History of Sunscreen.” JAMA Dermatol. 2015;151(12):1316. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2015.3011 Belmont, Tr...

Licoricia of Winchester was a Jewish woman who was a major financier in medieval England. There were Jewish settlements in England for only a brief window during the Middle Ages, marked with anti-Semitic violence and hostility. Research: Abrams, Rebecca. “Licoricia of Winchester.” Jewish Heritage in Southern England. Jewish Renaissance. Via YouTube. 6/8/2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wC6hit...