The Dressy Ghosts of Victorian Literature
Realism was exceptionally well suited (heh) for elaborate descriptions of spectral clothing.
The Paris Morgue Provided Ghoulish Entertainment
With its huge windows framing the corpses on display, the morgue bore an uncomfortable resemblance to a department store.
Why Did the Suffragists Wear Medieval Costumes?
Medieval costume was a standard feature of U.S. women’s suffrage parades, often with one participant designated as Joan of Arc.
The X-ray Craze of 1896
For many science-obsessed Victorians, X-rays were not just a fun novelty, but a potential miracle cure.
How Marketing Made L.A.
In the early 20th century, the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce started marketing L.A as an earthquake-free alternative to San Francisco.
The First Celebrity Chef
Alexis Soyer frequently cooked for royalty and dignitaries, but also displayed a healthy social conscience.
Satanism and Magic in the Age of the Moulin Rouge
How did some of the most illustrious names of fin de siècle French literature end up in a newspaper battle over witchcraft and evil spirits?
Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning Was Both a Celebrity and a Superfan
As celebrity culture developed in 19th century England, authors were at turns celebrated and celebrators of artists they admired.