Ben Griffin
@historygriffin.bsky.social
Associate Professor in Modern British History at the University of Cambridge. Author of The Politics of Gender in Victorian Britain (2012).
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Unsurprisingly, the Budget statements are typically very long. To date, the longest Budget speech was that of Gladstone in 1853, coming in at a whopping 4 hours and 45 minutes. The shortest was Benjamin Disraeli's budget speech in 1867 which lasted just 45 minutes. (7/10)
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Unsurprisingly, the Budget statements are typically very long. To date, the longest Budget speech was that of Gladstone in 1853, coming in at a whopping 4 hours and 45 minutes. The shortest was Benjamin Disraeli's budget speech in 1867 which lasted just 45 minutes. (7/10)
Reposted by Ben Griffin
The tradition of holding up the red box – which contains a copy of the Chancellor’s Budget speech to Parliament – apparently began after George Ward Hunt was unable to find it before making his 1868 Budget speech, which as a result was one of the shortest ever! buff.ly/16QwgkA (6/10)
‘The sagacity of the elephant, as well as the form’: MP of the Month, George Ward Hunt (1825-77)
The recent rise of a certain parson’s daughter to the premiership provides a fitting opportunity to consider the unexpected ascent of a parson’s son to one of the great offices of state during the …
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
The tradition of holding up the red box – which contains a copy of the Chancellor’s Budget speech to Parliament – apparently began after George Ward Hunt was unable to find it before making his 1868 Budget speech, which as a result was one of the shortest ever! buff.ly/16QwgkA (6/10)
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
November 26, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Today is #BudgetDay 2025!
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
To mark this important day in Parliament's calendar, here is a short thread on the history and traditions of the UK's annual Budget. 💸 (1/10)
Reposted by Ben Griffin
📚 Whether you're an undergraduate, postgraduate, academic, or independent researcher, our research grants and By-Fellowships are designed to support work using our collections here at Churchill Archives Centre.
🔗 Click the link to find out more & apply: buff.ly/JGsTtHK
🔗 Click the link to find out more & apply: buff.ly/JGsTtHK
September 18, 2025 at 11:27 AM
📚 Whether you're an undergraduate, postgraduate, academic, or independent researcher, our research grants and By-Fellowships are designed to support work using our collections here at Churchill Archives Centre.
🔗 Click the link to find out more & apply: buff.ly/JGsTtHK
🔗 Click the link to find out more & apply: buff.ly/JGsTtHK
Reposted by Ben Griffin
I was honoured to unveil a plaque for Sam Green, the first openly gay politician to be elected in the UK.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
A Liberal councillor who made LGBT+ history
Sam Green was the first openly gay politician ever elected in the UK – and possibly the world.
www.libdems.org.uk
November 21, 2025 at 8:30 AM
I was honoured to unveil a plaque for Sam Green, the first openly gay politician to be elected in the UK.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
He did so much for his community and his courage and dedication remind us to keep championing equality, respect and the rights of everybody.
An obituary for William Thomas, whose book The Philosophic Radicals remains a standard work.
www.thetimes.com/article/ae37...
www.thetimes.com/article/ae37...
William Thomas obituary: Oxford historian
Protégé of AJP Taylor who specialised in 19th-century intellectuals and became a fixture of Christ Church, Oxford, dies aged 89
www.thetimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:54 PM
An obituary for William Thomas, whose book The Philosophic Radicals remains a standard work.
www.thetimes.com/article/ae37...
www.thetimes.com/article/ae37...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Charles George Lyttelton, born #OnThisDay 1842, became Liberal MP for East Worcestershire at a by-election in June 1868. He was one of the most accomplished cricketers to sit in the Commons, as our post on him explored: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2016/04/26/t...
The Commons and Cricket: Charles George Lyttelton (1842-1922)
Being that time of the year when, to use Kipling’s less than charitable terms, the ‘muddied oafs at the goals’ begin to make way for ‘the flannelled fools at the wicket’, it seems apt for our MP of…
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Charles George Lyttelton, born #OnThisDay 1842, became Liberal MP for East Worcestershire at a by-election in June 1868. He was one of the most accomplished cricketers to sit in the Commons, as our post on him explored: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2016/04/26/t...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
AI here, making a basic error in calculation (the product is actually £25,397)
October 27, 2025 at 4:37 PM
AI here, making a basic error in calculation (the product is actually £25,397)
An excellent essay from @michaelledgerlomas.bsky.social
‘Although Cecil Rhodes talked of securing the future, power for him was not a means to an end but the expression of a need to treat people as objects to “quicken and control”.’
@michaelledgerlomas.bsky.social on what drove Cecil Rhodes:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@michaelledgerlomas.bsky.social on what drove Cecil Rhodes:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Michael Ledger-Lomas · Wriggling, Wriggling: Ruthless Cecil Rhodes
Cecil Rhodes saw the ‘native question’ very differently from imperial officials and missionaries who tried to...
www.lrb.co.uk
October 26, 2025 at 8:48 AM
An excellent essay from @michaelledgerlomas.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Griffin
It doesn't matter how many grant writing workshops you put on, or how much pressure you put on academics to apply - if the money isn't there, the money simply isn't there.
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 23, 2025 at 12:20 PM
It doesn't matter how many grant writing workshops you put on, or how much pressure you put on academics to apply - if the money isn't there, the money simply isn't there.
Reposted by Ben Griffin
An academic career in the UK - constant anxiety. Every moment of every day you're thinking, oh **** I need to do that, and that too, and oh **** that too, and **** I've forgotten that, & that, & that... And still you're working flat out...
#academia
#academia
October 23, 2025 at 6:50 PM
An academic career in the UK - constant anxiety. Every moment of every day you're thinking, oh **** I need to do that, and that too, and oh **** that too, and **** I've forgotten that, & that, & that... And still you're working flat out...
#academia
#academia
Reposted by Ben Griffin
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 AM
After submitting a FOIA request UKRI, I obtained success rates by three grant call scheme and I can only say that I am disheartened by the results:
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
- AHRC Responsive Mode 2025: 2%
- ESRC New Investigator Grant 2025: 1%
- ESRC Research Grant Round 2025: 1%
Since I just got back from seeing Rick Wakeman and his amazing band play live, here’s a link to one of the greatest rock and roll shaggy dog stories ever: it runs from 28.45 to 39.15, and I bet you can’t guess who had come to tea.
youtu.be/zppfjeculUs?...
youtu.be/zppfjeculUs?...
youtu.be
October 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Since I just got back from seeing Rick Wakeman and his amazing band play live, here’s a link to one of the greatest rock and roll shaggy dog stories ever: it runs from 28.45 to 39.15, and I bet you can’t guess who had come to tea.
youtu.be/zppfjeculUs?...
youtu.be/zppfjeculUs?...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
RFK Jr. has shut down the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice, gutted funding, and derailed trials and studies.
I Am One of 20 Million in US With Long COVID. RFK Pulled the Rug From Under Us.
RFK Jr. has shut down the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice, gutted funding, and derailed trials and studies.
truthout.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:30 PM
RFK Jr. has shut down the Office of Long COVID Research and Practice, gutted funding, and derailed trials and studies.
For those interested in the decision to remove the presumption that parental contact is in the best interests of a child, I wrote about the history of paternal rights and the development of the concept of a child’s best interests here:
doi.org/10.1093/past...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
doi.org/10.1093/past...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Family law shift hailed as victory for children facing domestic abuse
‘Groundbreaking’ repeal of presumption of parental involvement in England and Wales ‘will ensure courts place safety of children above all else’
www.theguardian.com
October 22, 2025 at 6:45 AM
For those interested in the decision to remove the presumption that parental contact is in the best interests of a child, I wrote about the history of paternal rights and the development of the concept of a child’s best interests here:
doi.org/10.1093/past...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
doi.org/10.1093/past...
www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...
Behind the sensationalised headline, there’s some excellent and fascinating research here.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Friedrich Engels ‘took creative liberties’ with descriptions of class divides in Manchester
Cambridge historian Emily Chung finds philosopher’s blistering depictions of segregation may have been exaggerated
www.theguardian.com
October 21, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Behind the sensationalised headline, there’s some excellent and fascinating research here.
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Having reached Q in our #1832AtoZ, we are looking at Queer history, revisiting Martin Spychal’s series of articles on Lord Ronald Gower, elected as MP for Sutherland in 1867. historyofparliament.com/2025/08/11/l...
Lord Ronald Gower (1845-1916): the life of a queer MP at the time of the Second Reform Act - The History of Parliament
Dr Martin Spychal introduces his series of articles on Lord Ronald Gower (1845-1916), who was elected as MP for Sutherland in 1867. This is the first of five
historyofparliament.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Having reached Q in our #1832AtoZ, we are looking at Queer history, revisiting Martin Spychal’s series of articles on Lord Ronald Gower, elected as MP for Sutherland in 1867. historyofparliament.com/2025/08/11/l...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
We're excited to announce the call for papers for #MBS26, the next Modern British Studies conference, at Birmingham in June 2026. We'll be launching the #MBS Association at this event, to support further regular conferences in Modern British Studies.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/moder...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/moder...
Modern British Studies Conference 2026 - University of Birmingham
Conference information
www.birmingham.ac.uk
October 16, 2025 at 8:47 PM
We're excited to announce the call for papers for #MBS26, the next Modern British Studies conference, at Birmingham in June 2026. We'll be launching the #MBS Association at this event, to support further regular conferences in Modern British Studies.
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/moder...
www.birmingham.ac.uk/events/moder...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
#OnThisDay 1834 London's largest fire since 1666 destroyed much of the old Palace of Westminster. Find out more about this event and how it was perceived in our article: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/p...
Parliament destroyed by fire
On 16 October 1834 an immense fire started by the over-zealous burning of waste took hold in the old Palace of Westminster, completely destroying the medieval Commons and Lords chambers as well as …
victoriancommons.wordpress.com
October 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
#OnThisDay 1834 London's largest fire since 1666 destroyed much of the old Palace of Westminster. Find out more about this event and how it was perceived in our article: victoriancommons.wordpress.com/2012/10/16/p...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Victorianists get ready for BAVS 2026 in Liverpool!
We’re excited in Liverpool to hear that LJMU will be hosting the fab @bavs-uk.bsky.social conf in July. I can’t wait to see Victorian scholars treading the corridors of my historic c19th building. Well done to @drhorrocks.bsky.social for getting this off the ground! Now to dust of my organisers hat…
October 16, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Victorianists get ready for BAVS 2026 in Liverpool!
Reposted by Ben Griffin
PLEASE TAKE OUR MONEY!
With the new academic year now well under way, a reminder that we offer University Research Grants of up to £1,000 for students carrying out research on the British Army or of the land forces of the British Empire & the Commonwealth.
Details at: www.sahr.org.uk/university-r...
With the new academic year now well under way, a reminder that we offer University Research Grants of up to £1,000 for students carrying out research on the British Army or of the land forces of the British Empire & the Commonwealth.
Details at: www.sahr.org.uk/university-r...
October 16, 2025 at 9:14 AM
PLEASE TAKE OUR MONEY!
With the new academic year now well under way, a reminder that we offer University Research Grants of up to £1,000 for students carrying out research on the British Army or of the land forces of the British Empire & the Commonwealth.
Details at: www.sahr.org.uk/university-r...
With the new academic year now well under way, a reminder that we offer University Research Grants of up to £1,000 for students carrying out research on the British Army or of the land forces of the British Empire & the Commonwealth.
Details at: www.sahr.org.uk/university-r...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
Look what just arrived! An intellectual treat in the form of @singingarchives.bsky.social’s new social history of the modern voice.
October 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Look what just arrived! An intellectual treat in the form of @singingarchives.bsky.social’s new social history of the modern voice.
Reposted by Ben Griffin
JOB
Assistant Professor, History of the United States since 1920 @ University of Cambridge
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
Assistant Professor, History of the United States since 1920 @ University of Cambridge
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
www.cam.ac.uk
October 15, 2025 at 8:50 PM
JOB
Assistant Professor, History of the United States since 1920 @ University of Cambridge
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
Assistant Professor, History of the United States since 1920 @ University of Cambridge
www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/assista...
Reposted by Ben Griffin
