Modern History Articles
The Modern period is marked by groundbreaking advancements in technology, industry, and social reform, reshaping nations and cultures worldwide. From the Enlightenment to today’s interconnected global societies, this era saw revolutions in science, politics, and everyday life, defining the world as we know it.
Jane Tar: Women and the Royal Navy in the Age of Sail
There can be few historical milieus as thrilling and iconic as the lives of men at sea in the glorious Age of Sail. Yet there is always something in these images that is notable for its absence – the presence of women.
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by Steven Port
Ten Facts You Might Not Know about Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley is famous as the wife of the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley, and as the author of the classic novel Frankenstein. But these two facts, interesting as they are, belie the depth of character and experience of this clever, unconventional, and remarkable woman.
Bethlem: A Mental Place
Bethlem is a place so famous for chaos and confusion that its nickname, Bedlam, has entered the English language as a synonym for madness. But has its reputation been deserved, or has it been on the wrong end of morbid fascination and sensationalism?
Was Napoleon the Bad Guy?
In Britain, Napoleon is seen as a villain, mainly remembered for overthrowing the government and for war. His reputation is such that a (disproven) neurosis is named after him – the ‘Napoleon complex’, which suggests all those of limited height act in an aggressive manner to compensate.
The Battle of Waterloo
In 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte abdicated the French throne and was exiled to the island of Elba in the Mediterranean. By February 1815 he'd escaped, thanks to the carelessness of his 'guard', his charisma, and his ability to discern information from his visitors, before marching on Paris against the newly installed Louis XVIII.
