Claude Debussy writes ‘la mer’ – at Eastbourne
On this day in 1894 Claude Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune was first performed in Paris. Based on French poet Stéphane Mallarmé’s beautiful poem,... Read More
Robert Graves brings ancient Rome to life
On this day in 1985 the English writer and poet Robert Graves died aged 90. Graves was a classical scholar and his historical novels I... Read More
Rainer Maria Rilke – ahead of his time in life and death
On this day in 1875 the Bohemian Austrian poet Rainer Maria Rilke was born. Rilke travelled a lot through Europe and eventually settled in Paris;... Read More
Charles Darwin shakes the world
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1859 Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural... Read More
Cicero, Rome’s fearless orator
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 63 BC the famous Roman orator Marcus Tullius Cicero began his speeches against... Read More
Édith Piaf, the little sparrow
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1963 the great French singer Édith Piaf died aged 47. Born Édith Giovanna... Read More
Ivan Pavlov, physiologist and dog feeder
To listen to this post, click here – On this day in 1849 the Russian physiologist Ivan Pavlov was born. During the 1890s Pavlov was... Read More