Seán Thomas Kane
@sthosdkane.bsky.social
Historian of 16th century French natural history focusing on three-toed sloths (Bradypus sp.). Ph.D. Candidate at Binghamton University. Fellow of the Linnean Society. Gaelgeoir. All opinions are my own.
Bhuail mé leis nuair bhí 14 bliana d'aois. Bhí guth aige a chaint sé chuig an anama.
I met him when I was 14. He had a voice that sang to the soul.
RIP, a Seáin Ó Sé.
I met him when I was 14. He had a voice that sang to the soul.
RIP, a Seáin Ó Sé.
January 15, 2026 at 4:17 AM
Bhuail mé leis nuair bhí 14 bliana d'aois. Bhí guth aige a chaint sé chuig an anama.
I met him when I was 14. He had a voice that sang to the soul.
RIP, a Seáin Ó Sé.
I met him when I was 14. He had a voice that sang to the soul.
RIP, a Seáin Ó Sé.
I got the opportunity this morning to do some research in the Field Museum Library for an upcoming diss. chapter. I didn’t take any photos up there on the 3rd floor yet it was neat getting to see the professional side of the museum, somewhere I’d love to work if the opportunity arises. #histsci
January 13, 2026 at 1:03 AM
I got the opportunity this morning to do some research in the Field Museum Library for an upcoming diss. chapter. I didn’t take any photos up there on the 3rd floor yet it was neat getting to see the professional side of the museum, somewhere I’d love to work if the opportunity arises. #histsci
If the Bears can win that game all of us ABDs can finish our dissertations and earn our PhDs and maybe even find a good job on the other side. From this Chicago area native at the #AHA2026, Bear down!
January 11, 2026 at 5:37 AM
If the Bears can win that game all of us ABDs can finish our dissertations and earn our PhDs and maybe even find a good job on the other side. From this Chicago area native at the #AHA2026, Bear down!
Spent the morning reading Guillaume Rondelet’s “De piscibus marinis” in the UChicago Library’s Special Collections. I’ve been working on sorting out what sort of marine mammal was Thevet’s “marousin,” when that name applied to dolphins, orcas, and porpoises alike. #earlymodern #histsci
January 8, 2026 at 10:57 PM
Spent the morning reading Guillaume Rondelet’s “De piscibus marinis” in the UChicago Library’s Special Collections. I’ve been working on sorting out what sort of marine mammal was Thevet’s “marousin,” when that name applied to dolphins, orcas, and porpoises alike. #earlymodern #histsci
This Friday @ 8:30 am, I’m presenting “Sufficiently Strange Beasts: André Thevet’s Catholic Comprehension of Neotropical Animals” in the @achahistory.bsky.social meeting adjoining the #AHA26 conference in the Chicago Hilton. A strange paper to write means it should be fun, right? #earlymodern
January 7, 2026 at 11:46 AM
This Friday @ 8:30 am, I’m presenting “Sufficiently Strange Beasts: André Thevet’s Catholic Comprehension of Neotropical Animals” in the @achahistory.bsky.social meeting adjoining the #AHA26 conference in the Chicago Hilton. A strange paper to write means it should be fun, right? #earlymodern
youtu.be/8Qq9MhGJv2A?... #envhist #irishhistory This video touches on a lot of questions that are central to my own research on what counts as native, and the impermanence of nature, and the colonial impact upon island ecologies which André Thevet discussed in his #earlymodern cosmographies. /1
Ireland's Invisible Rainforest
YouTube video by Aidin Robbins
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 4:23 AM
youtu.be/8Qq9MhGJv2A?... #envhist #irishhistory This video touches on a lot of questions that are central to my own research on what counts as native, and the impermanence of nature, and the colonial impact upon island ecologies which André Thevet discussed in his #earlymodern cosmographies. /1
/1 Can Apple’s AirPod Translation Get You Through Tokyo? We Tested It. — A couple thoughts in this thread. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/t...
Can Apple’s AirPod Translation Get You Through Tokyo? We Tested It.
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
/1 Can Apple’s AirPod Translation Get You Through Tokyo? We Tested It. — A couple thoughts in this thread. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/t...
Reposted by Seán Thomas Kane
The International #Bibliography of #Humanism and the #Renaissance (IBHR) has been updated.
3,022 records were added
More Info: bit.ly/4o8eWKH
#EarlyModern #RenaissanceSky #HumanismSky #Bibliographies #DigitalHumanities
3,022 records were added
More Info: bit.ly/4o8eWKH
#EarlyModern #RenaissanceSky #HumanismSky #Bibliographies #DigitalHumanities
November 19, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The International #Bibliography of #Humanism and the #Renaissance (IBHR) has been updated.
3,022 records were added
More Info: bit.ly/4o8eWKH
#EarlyModern #RenaissanceSky #HumanismSky #Bibliographies #DigitalHumanities
3,022 records were added
More Info: bit.ly/4o8eWKH
#EarlyModern #RenaissanceSky #HumanismSky #Bibliographies #DigitalHumanities
Last day of this trip and I decided to make one final stop at NYPL to read their Parisian edition of Marco Polo published in 1556. Another fascinating mile marker in the history of the European perception of everyone else that will be useful in my dissertation. #earlymodern #skystorians
November 19, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Last day of this trip and I decided to make one final stop at NYPL to read their Parisian edition of Marco Polo published in 1556. Another fascinating mile marker in the history of the European perception of everyone else that will be useful in my dissertation. #earlymodern #skystorians
I'm making a quick stop on the way home from #HSS2025 in NYC to read the NYPL's copy of Vespucci's 1503 "Mundus Novus" and look through some of the objects on display at @amnh.org that relate to my current research. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
November 18, 2025 at 11:25 PM
I'm making a quick stop on the way home from #HSS2025 in NYC to read the NYPL's copy of Vespucci's 1503 "Mundus Novus" and look through some of the objects on display at @amnh.org that relate to my current research. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
I’m making a quick stop in NYC 🍎 on the way home from New Orleans ⚜️ to see Alie Ward do her first @ologies.bsky.social podcast live show. This is one of my favorite science podcasts that’s been a regular feature of my weekly listening since the pandemic.
November 18, 2025 at 3:27 AM
I’m making a quick stop in NYC 🍎 on the way home from New Orleans ⚜️ to see Alie Ward do her first @ologies.bsky.social podcast live show. This is one of my favorite science podcasts that’s been a regular feature of my weekly listening since the pandemic.
Reposted by Seán Thomas Kane
I'm not at #HSS2025 but wrote a #NOLA -themed newsletter, anyway - with registration info for an online #histsci talk on HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY.
Fans of @danielkraus.com - this is for you, too!
#horror 💙📚 🗃
buttondown.com/surekhadavie...
Fans of @danielkraus.com - this is for you, too!
#horror 💙📚 🗃
buttondown.com/surekhadavie...
Join me online on Thurs Dec 6th! And a horror novel even for scaredy-cats
Hallo, nerds with a conscience - and thanks for subscribing! This week’s newsletter: Event newsflashA horror novel recommendation, even for scaredy-catsNew...
buttondown.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:27 PM
I'm not at #HSS2025 but wrote a #NOLA -themed newsletter, anyway - with registration info for an online #histsci talk on HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY.
Fans of @danielkraus.com - this is for you, too!
#horror 💙📚 🗃
buttondown.com/surekhadavie...
Fans of @danielkraus.com - this is for you, too!
#horror 💙📚 🗃
buttondown.com/surekhadavie...
On Sunday at 11 am CT I will be presenting a fun project of mine concerning Thevet’s flightless seabird sighting on 26 Oct. 1555 which contributed to the taxonomic muddle between penguins (L) and the Great auk (R). Come see me at #HSS2025 in room Napoleon A2 (3rd floor). #histsci #earlymodern
November 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
On Sunday at 11 am CT I will be presenting a fun project of mine concerning Thevet’s flightless seabird sighting on 26 Oct. 1555 which contributed to the taxonomic muddle between penguins (L) and the Great auk (R). Come see me at #HSS2025 in room Napoleon A2 (3rd floor). #histsci #earlymodern
I go to a fair few conferences. Along the chance to present my work to fellow experts the biggest draw remains getting that refresher that as isolated as I am in my daily life that I am not alone in this profession. Thanks, friends! #skystorians #earlymodern #histsci
November 2, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I go to a fair few conferences. Along the chance to present my work to fellow experts the biggest draw remains getting that refresher that as isolated as I am in my daily life that I am not alone in this profession. Thanks, friends! #skystorians #earlymodern #histsci
Took a break from #SCS2025 to go to the Rocky Butte State Park to catch a glimpse of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens in the distance. Coming from the prairies I do love seeing mountains.
October 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Took a break from #SCS2025 to go to the Rocky Butte State Park to catch a glimpse of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens in the distance. Coming from the prairies I do love seeing mountains.
I’ll be speaking tomorrow at the #SCS2025 conference in Portland about variations in the early printings of Thevet’s sloth’s face. Come see me at 15:30 Pacific in the Park Room as part of the Bodies, Nature, Knowledge discipline. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
October 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I’ll be speaking tomorrow at the #SCS2025 conference in Portland about variations in the early printings of Thevet’s sloth’s face. Come see me at 15:30 Pacific in the Park Room as part of the Bodies, Nature, Knowledge discipline. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
I've decided to end my writing my weekly "Wednesday Blog" after 238 weeks. It's been a good run, and I've accomplished what I set out to do. So, for this week, to conclude what I’ve been saying with a bit of politics, a bit of language, and a bit of history.
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
The Wednesday Blog
This week, to conclude what I’ve been saying.
wednesdayblog.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I've decided to end my writing my weekly "Wednesday Blog" after 238 weeks. It's been a good run, and I've accomplished what I set out to do. So, for this week, to conclude what I’ve been saying with a bit of politics, a bit of language, and a bit of history.
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
Does anyone have recommendations on sources concerning South Atlantic ocean currents and navigational routes in the 16th century? I see a lot of maps showing how Europeans got to Brazil, but not the return voyage. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
October 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Does anyone have recommendations on sources concerning South Atlantic ocean currents and navigational routes in the 16th century? I see a lot of maps showing how Europeans got to Brazil, but not the return voyage. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
I spent some time this afternoon at the Linda Hall Library reading Gessner’s entries for dolphins, porpoises, and orcas looking for connections to Thevet’s accounts of the animals. This research visit was a success. #histsci #skystorians #earlymodern
October 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I spent some time this afternoon at the Linda Hall Library reading Gessner’s entries for dolphins, porpoises, and orcas looking for connections to Thevet’s accounts of the animals. This research visit was a success. #histsci #skystorians #earlymodern
CFP: Contested Conceptions of Atlantic Animals.
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
September 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
CFP: Contested Conceptions of Atlantic Animals.
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
This week I wrote about Thevet’s claim that wine is necessary for human life and the role of alcohol in culture & ritual. #earlymodern #winehistory #frhistory wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/24/o...
On Drink
This week, bringing together my research and my life through wine.
wednesdayblog.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This week I wrote about Thevet’s claim that wine is necessary for human life and the role of alcohol in culture & ritual. #earlymodern #winehistory #frhistory wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/24/o...
This week, I wrote about breaking down bigger projects into smaller pieces in the twin contexts of #academic writing & #cooking. #phd wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/17/o...
On Little Things
This week, recent events have inspired me to think about the wide, wide world on a smaller scale.
wednesdayblog.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This week, I wrote about breaking down bigger projects into smaller pieces in the twin contexts of #academic writing & #cooking. #phd wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/17/o...
I don't think I'm going to be in Toronto anytime soon, but this exhibit on Flemish masterworks looks like it'll be a good one. #earlymodern #arthistory www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/exh...
Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools
The Southern Netherlands — better known today as Flanders — was home to revolutionary artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck, Hans Memling, and others. These extraordinary painters found ...
www.rom.on.ca
September 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I don't think I'm going to be in Toronto anytime soon, but this exhibit on Flemish masterworks looks like it'll be a good one. #earlymodern #arthistory www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/exh...
The table of contents for this one looks great. #earlymodern #FrHistory
Not available until June 2026, but we have a cover! #earlymodern #skystorians
September 10, 2025 at 4:04 AM
The table of contents for this one looks great. #earlymodern #FrHistory
wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/03/t...
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
The Lotus-Eaters
This week, comparing the benefits of pleasure with the rewards of good work.
wednesdayblog.org
September 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/03/t...
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern