Tom Wolfe nearly made a career in baseball
On this day in 1931 the writer and journalist Tom Wolfe was born. Wolfe excelled both academically and at baseball – he considered turning professional.... Read More
Alessandro Botticelli’s unrequited love
On this day in 1445, the first day of Spring, the Florentine painter Alessandro Botticelli was born. Much of his work was done for his... Read More
Frederic Chopin’s country idyll with George Sand
On this day in 1789 the composer and pianist Frederic Chopin was born in Warsaw. Chopin’s name is much linked with George Sand, the diminutive... Read More
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s emotional pain
On this day in 1807 the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was born. An academic and for a time a professor at Harvard, he is... Read More
Victor Hugo gets an Avenue
On this day in 1802 the French novelist Victor Marie Hugo was born. His father was an officer in the French army. These were interesting... Read More
Pierre Auguste Renoir’s prolific output
On this day in 1841 the French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir was born in Limoges. As a youth, he worked in the famous local porcelain... Read More
Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s fireside moment
On this day in 1809 the Drury Lane Theatre, owned by the playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, was burnt down. Sheridan sat in an armchair with... Read More