Seb Falk
@sebfalk.com
Historian of science ||
Admissions Tutor at Girton College, University of Cambridge ||
Singer, sailor, runner, father ||
"Always generous" – The New Yorker
Admissions Tutor at Girton College, University of Cambridge ||
Singer, sailor, runner, father ||
"Always generous" – The New Yorker
Pinned
Seb Falk
@sebfalk.com
· Nov 19
Since "La Luz de la Edad Media" came out in September, there are now 8 editions of #TheLightAges!
I'm fascinated by each publisher's different approach to design – but thrilled by the results in every case. Feel free to judge this book by its covers!
I'm fascinated by each publisher's different approach to design – but thrilled by the results in every case. Feel free to judge this book by its covers!
If you need a timeline cleanse: here's a highlight of a lovely selection of avian visitors to our wintry garden today.
Like me, this beautiful goldfinch loves teasels!
Like me, this beautiful goldfinch loves teasels!
January 10, 2026 at 10:08 PM
If you need a timeline cleanse: here's a highlight of a lovely selection of avian visitors to our wintry garden today.
Like me, this beautiful goldfinch loves teasels!
Like me, this beautiful goldfinch loves teasels!
Last call for anyone looking for the dream 3-year early-career college research fellowship!
Closes 9am GMT Monday
Closes 9am GMT Monday
JOB ALERT!
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
January 10, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Last call for anyone looking for the dream 3-year early-career college research fellowship!
Closes 9am GMT Monday
Closes 9am GMT Monday
Reposted by Seb Falk
Birkbeck is hiring a Lecturer in Medieval Studies (c.1300-1500), full-time and open-ended.
They will be formally based in English but expected to be able to contribute about 0.5FTE to History, including teaching and supervision.
Closing date Feb 23rd: cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/lect...
They will be formally based in English but expected to be able to contribute about 0.5FTE to History, including teaching and supervision.
Closing date Feb 23rd: cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/lect...
January 8, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Birkbeck is hiring a Lecturer in Medieval Studies (c.1300-1500), full-time and open-ended.
They will be formally based in English but expected to be able to contribute about 0.5FTE to History, including teaching and supervision.
Closing date Feb 23rd: cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/lect...
They will be formally based in English but expected to be able to contribute about 0.5FTE to History, including teaching and supervision.
Closing date Feb 23rd: cis7.bbk.ac.uk/vacancy/lect...
Reposted by Seb Falk
Paleography peeps: I'm collecting examples of premodern descriptive or evaluative (sc. judgy) language about script. E.g. Boniface requesting a book "claris et absolutis litteris scripti" because he can't read "minutas litteras ac connexas" anymore. #medievalsky 🧵
January 7, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Paleography peeps: I'm collecting examples of premodern descriptive or evaluative (sc. judgy) language about script. E.g. Boniface requesting a book "claris et absolutis litteris scripti" because he can't read "minutas litteras ac connexas" anymore. #medievalsky 🧵
Reposted by Seb Falk
People of the UK! 🇬🇧 There’s still time to vote for an inspiring history teacher — the entry criteria is on the HRP website. I’m proud to be on the judging panel and look forward to celebrating great history teachers www.hrp.org.uk/schools/insp...
Inspiring History Teaching Awards
Created by Historic Royal Palaces, these awards celebrate teachers who make history exciting, inclusive and meaningful. We want to recognise the impact that great teachers can make by bringing the pas...
www.hrp.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 11:14 AM
People of the UK! 🇬🇧 There’s still time to vote for an inspiring history teacher — the entry criteria is on the HRP website. I’m proud to be on the judging panel and look forward to celebrating great history teachers www.hrp.org.uk/schools/insp...
Reposted by Seb Falk
Apply to be the 2026-7 Munby Fellow in bibliography and history of the book @theul.bsky.social
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPZ688/m...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPZ688/m...
Munby Fellowship in Bibliography 2026 - 2027 at University of Cambridge
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Munby Fellowship in Bibliography 2026 - 2027 opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
www.jobs.ac.uk
January 5, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Apply to be the 2026-7 Munby Fellow in bibliography and history of the book @theul.bsky.social
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPZ688/m...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DPZ688/m...
Reposted by Seb Falk
I did my undergrad at Girton. It's a truly special place, and this could be a fantastic opportunity for the right person.
JOB ALERT!
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
January 5, 2026 at 11:40 AM
I did my undergrad at Girton. It's a truly special place, and this could be a fantastic opportunity for the right person.
JOB ALERT!
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
January 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM
JOB ALERT!
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
3-year postdoc at @girtoncollege.bsky.social - research anything you like in History, Archaeology or Anthropology in a wonderful, welcoming scholarly community.
PLEASE SHARE! Closes 12 January
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
Reposted by Seb Falk
I have a basic pattern I stick to: Routledge Colloquial (until about ch 8), LingQ for as many mini stories (very good for high input audio and getting vocab), and pimsleur. Usually I do that for a month or two before having a conversation. I tend to prefer to have most grammar done before tutors.
January 4, 2026 at 9:11 PM
I have a basic pattern I stick to: Routledge Colloquial (until about ch 8), LingQ for as many mini stories (very good for high input audio and getting vocab), and pimsleur. Usually I do that for a month or two before having a conversation. I tend to prefer to have most grammar done before tutors.
Reposted by Seb Falk
Last year, I found an old love letter between the yellowing pages of a second hand book, and asked Bluesky whether you had found similar. I was inundated with responses (see 🧵 below)! My essay has just been published in @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social ! Thank you so much everyone who replied and helped
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Last year, I found an old love letter between the yellowing pages of a second hand book, and asked Bluesky whether you had found similar. I was inundated with responses (see 🧵 below)! My essay has just been published in @slightlyfoxed.bsky.social ! Thank you so much everyone who replied and helped
Reposted by Seb Falk
And using ephemera as bookmarks makes second-hand books even more interesting – there is a lovely essay about this by Sarah Lonsdale in the latest Slightly Foxed magazine
bsky.app/profile/sara...
bsky.app/profile/sara...
January 4, 2026 at 8:17 AM
And using ephemera as bookmarks makes second-hand books even more interesting – there is a lovely essay about this by Sarah Lonsdale in the latest Slightly Foxed magazine
bsky.app/profile/sara...
bsky.app/profile/sara...
Two fun museum finds in Colchester today:
1. Clock owned by William Gilbert (of De Magnete (1600) fame)
2. Pub sign from the old At the Sign of the Whalebone Inn on East Hill
1. Clock owned by William Gilbert (of De Magnete (1600) fame)
2. Pub sign from the old At the Sign of the Whalebone Inn on East Hill
January 3, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Two fun museum finds in Colchester today:
1. Clock owned by William Gilbert (of De Magnete (1600) fame)
2. Pub sign from the old At the Sign of the Whalebone Inn on East Hill
1. Clock owned by William Gilbert (of De Magnete (1600) fame)
2. Pub sign from the old At the Sign of the Whalebone Inn on East Hill
Lovely crisp morning for a run through the Essex countryside. Stopped at this stunning medieval church. Is this graffiti by the door something apotropaic?
www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/our-ch...
www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/our-ch...
January 3, 2026 at 12:28 PM
Lovely crisp morning for a run through the Essex countryside. Stopped at this stunning medieval church. Is this graffiti by the door something apotropaic?
www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/our-ch...
www.visitchurches.org.uk/visit/our-ch...
Old train tickets, tickets from old museum visits, cut up bits of Chocolate Orange box...
what does everyone use for bookmarks now that train tickets are mostly digital?
January 2, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Old train tickets, tickets from old museum visits, cut up bits of Chocolate Orange box...
There's room for another historian (or anthropologist) at @girtoncollege.bsky.social !
3-year postdoc research fellowship, apply by 12 January!
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
3-year postdoc research fellowship, apply by 12 January!
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
Research Fellowship in Arts
www.girton.cam.ac.uk
January 1, 2026 at 2:39 PM
There's room for another historian (or anthropologist) at @girtoncollege.bsky.social !
3-year postdoc research fellowship, apply by 12 January!
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
3-year postdoc research fellowship, apply by 12 January!
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
Reposted by Seb Falk
St Govan’s chapel was magic. Up there with Odda’s at Deerhurst
January 1, 2026 at 1:53 PM
St Govan’s chapel was magic. Up there with Odda’s at Deerhurst
Reposted by Seb Falk
Went to the dump, which I feel is a strong start to 2026
January 1, 2026 at 10:20 AM
Went to the dump, which I feel is a strong start to 2026
Went to see the much-vaunted murmurations at Fowlmere. Starlings didn't do their thing. Oh well, we were patient, did our best quiet braving the cold and ate gummy bears. Happy new year everyone.
December 31, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Went to see the much-vaunted murmurations at Fowlmere. Starlings didn't do their thing. Oh well, we were patient, did our best quiet braving the cold and ate gummy bears. Happy new year everyone.
If you want to help nature in 2026, why not donate to help the Wildlife Trusts purchase – and protect – a huge chunk of Northumberland?
www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...
www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...
Donate to Secure the Rothbury Estate | The Wildlife Trusts
Stretching over 3,800 hectares, the Rothbury Estate in Northumberland is abundant with opportunity. It’s the largest continuous area of land to appear on the market in 50 years. Its sale creates a uni...
www.wildlifetrusts.org
December 31, 2025 at 11:05 AM
If you want to help nature in 2026, why not donate to help the Wildlife Trusts purchase – and protect – a huge chunk of Northumberland?
www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...
www.wildlifetrusts.org/appeals/roth...
Thrilled to hear that John Westwyk is the Linda Hall Library's Scientist of the Day!
www.lindahall.org/about/news/s...
(H/T: @karlgalle.bsky.social)
www.lindahall.org/about/news/s...
(H/T: @karlgalle.bsky.social)
John Westwyk
John Westwyk, an English monk and astronomical instrument maker, died sometime before 1400, probably in the infirmary at the Benedictine abbey of St.
www.lindahall.org
December 23, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Thrilled to hear that John Westwyk is the Linda Hall Library's Scientist of the Day!
www.lindahall.org/about/news/s...
(H/T: @karlgalle.bsky.social)
www.lindahall.org/about/news/s...
(H/T: @karlgalle.bsky.social)
Reposted by Seb Falk
For more volvelles, medieval science, and a shout-out to @sebfalk.com's book, see also today's Linda Hall Library post on John Westwyk, whose 14th-century manuscript on an astronomical instrument was originally attributed to Geoffrey Chaucer: www.lindahall.org/about/news/s... #HistSci #MedievalSky
December 23, 2025 at 10:34 PM
For more volvelles, medieval science, and a shout-out to @sebfalk.com's book, see also today's Linda Hall Library post on John Westwyk, whose 14th-century manuscript on an astronomical instrument was originally attributed to Geoffrey Chaucer: www.lindahall.org/about/news/s... #HistSci #MedievalSky
A few more from my morning at @theul.bsky.social
Some lovely volvelles in this copy of Martin Cortes' "Art of Navigation", tr. Richard Eden (1579).
I also like the pelican on the frontispiece 🪶
Some lovely volvelles in this copy of Martin Cortes' "Art of Navigation", tr. Richard Eden (1579).
I also like the pelican on the frontispiece 🪶
December 23, 2025 at 9:01 PM
A few more from my morning at @theul.bsky.social
Some lovely volvelles in this copy of Martin Cortes' "Art of Navigation", tr. Richard Eden (1579).
I also like the pelican on the frontispiece 🪶
Some lovely volvelles in this copy of Martin Cortes' "Art of Navigation", tr. Richard Eden (1579).
I also like the pelican on the frontispiece 🪶
Christmas appears in Pedro de Medina's "Art of Navigation"! 🎄
Nice to spot it in this 1554 Italian translation (Venice, Pedrezano) at @theul.bsky.social this morning.
Note the commentary on the painless birth of Jesus: he was laid on a bed of hay because there was nothing softer to hand 🌟
Nice to spot it in this 1554 Italian translation (Venice, Pedrezano) at @theul.bsky.social this morning.
Note the commentary on the painless birth of Jesus: he was laid on a bed of hay because there was nothing softer to hand 🌟
December 23, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Christmas appears in Pedro de Medina's "Art of Navigation"! 🎄
Nice to spot it in this 1554 Italian translation (Venice, Pedrezano) at @theul.bsky.social this morning.
Note the commentary on the painless birth of Jesus: he was laid on a bed of hay because there was nothing softer to hand 🌟
Nice to spot it in this 1554 Italian translation (Venice, Pedrezano) at @theul.bsky.social this morning.
Note the commentary on the painless birth of Jesus: he was laid on a bed of hay because there was nothing softer to hand 🌟
Brilliant opportunity to work in a fascinating and important role at @girtoncollege.bsky.social!
Come & work with us at Girton College, Cambridge University! We're seeking a Head of Governance & College Registrar. Here's a half-minute glimpse into life at beautiful Girton ... so check out the job details here:
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
@girtoncollege.bsky.social
www.girton.cam.ac.uk/job-vacancie...
@girtoncollege.bsky.social
August 20, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Brilliant opportunity to work in a fascinating and important role at @girtoncollege.bsky.social!
Reposted by Seb Falk
New podcast episode with the fascinating @sebfalk.com explaining how people in the Middle Ages knew a lot more than we give them credit for shows.acast.com/willy-willy-...
Summer Book Club - The Light Ages | Willy Willy Harry Stee...
with Seb Falk
shows.acast.com
August 2, 2025 at 8:13 AM
New podcast episode with the fascinating @sebfalk.com explaining how people in the Middle Ages knew a lot more than we give them credit for shows.acast.com/willy-willy-...