Sylvia Beach – brave bookseller and publisher
On this day in 1887 Sylvia Beach, the American publisher and bookseller, was born. Sylvia grew up in Baltimore, Maryland but came to Paris in... Read More
Irving Layton’s ground-breaking male chauvinism
On this day in 1912 the Canadian poet Irving Layton was born. He is known for his combative ‘tell it like it is’ style that... Read More
Douglas Adams writes a guide book
On this day in 1952 English writer Douglas Adams was born. His extraordinary imagination and inventiveness reached its apex in the radio series The Hitchhikers... Read More
Zelda Fitzgerald’s unhappy marriage
On this day in 1948 Zelda Fitzgerald died in a fire at a mental hospital. She is often seen as a mere sidekick to the... Read More
Vita Sackville West’s passionate affairs
On this day in 1892 the author, poet and gardener Vita Sackville West was born. Married to the brilliant writer and politician Sir Harold Nicholson... Read More
Kenneth Grahame’s childhood with boats
On this day in 1859 the author Kenneth Grahame was born. Known for The Wind in the Willows, Graham drew on his own childhood experiences... Read More
Piet Mondrian’s abstract spirituality
On this day in 1872 the Dutch painter Piet Mondrian was born. Though he started by painting landscapes, Mondrian was greatly influenced by the work... Read More