Martin Hewitt
@vicmanch.bsky.social
Victorianist. President of the British Association for Victorian Studies, and Editor of the Curran Index for the RSVP. Author: Darwinism's Generations. The Reception of Darwinian Evolution in Britain, 1859-1909 (2024). Check me out at profmartinhewitt.com
Pinned
Martin Hewitt
@vicmanch.bsky.social
· Nov 11
So I was expecting copies of Darwinism's Generations to arrive this week, but they came early. So we had to have a celebration! It's been a long time in the making, but we can now say for sure that it's properly published. If you have an insitutional subscription, it's available on Oxford Academic.
Greatest preacher in the PMG's 10 Greatest living Englishmen poll, 1885? A 2-horse race between Charles Spurgeon, the fiery Baptist, and Canon Henry Liddon, whose afternoon sermons at St Pauls reputedly regularly attracted 3-4000. For a sermon-tasting culture, a surprising concentration of votes.
February 14, 2026 at 7:58 AM
Greatest preacher in the PMG's 10 Greatest living Englishmen poll, 1885? A 2-horse race between Charles Spurgeon, the fiery Baptist, and Canon Henry Liddon, whose afternoon sermons at St Pauls reputedly regularly attracted 3-4000. For a sermon-tasting culture, a surprising concentration of votes.
The guide to micro-periodisation we've all been waiting for. (And works a treat for the Victorian period altogether. Swinburne's Poems and Ballads as late Victorian, anyone?)
You’ve heard of the long 18th century, and the long 19th century, but now, hear me out — what about the long 1990s? Eh?!
swanboy.com/comic/discus...
swanboy.com/comic/discus...
Discussing Decades
Visit the post for more.
swanboy.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:18 AM
The guide to micro-periodisation we've all been waiting for. (And works a treat for the Victorian period altogether. Swinburne's Poems and Ballads as late Victorian, anyone?)
Really enjoyed this conference at Regensburg in 2023. And very glad to see versions of the papers now published. Mine delves into the sad and sorry tale of the c19 Gresham Lectures. @greshamcollege.bsky.social
February 13, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Really enjoyed this conference at Regensburg in 2023. And very glad to see versions of the papers now published. Mine delves into the sad and sorry tale of the c19 Gresham Lectures. @greshamcollege.bsky.social
Reposted by Martin Hewitt
Fellowship Opportunity!
Jenny Wormald Junior Research Fellow in Women’s History
University of Oxford - St Hilda’s College
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQL341/j...
Jenny Wormald Junior Research Fellow in Women’s History
University of Oxford - St Hilda’s College
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQL341/j...
Jenny Wormald Junior Research Fellow in Women’s History at University of Oxford
Discover an exciting academic career path as a Jenny Wormald Junior Research Fellow in Women’s History at jobs.ac.uk. Don't miss out on this job opportunity - apply today!
www.jobs.ac.uk
February 13, 2026 at 4:50 AM
Fellowship Opportunity!
Jenny Wormald Junior Research Fellow in Women’s History
University of Oxford - St Hilda’s College
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQL341/j...
Jenny Wormald Junior Research Fellow in Women’s History
University of Oxford - St Hilda’s College
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQL341/j...
That feeling when you've already asked your readers to work their way through 500 pages of crowded analysis, and a reviewer suggests that perhaps as well as Britain you should also have covered Darwin's reception in the rest of the world...
Ever wondered what exactly constitutes a generation? Just one of the issues @dianejosefowicz.bsky.social looks at in her very discerning review of Martin Hewitt's "Darwinism's Generations: The Reception of Darwinian Evolution in Britain, 1859-1909"—do read! www.victorianweb.org/science/darw...
February 11, 2026 at 11:24 AM
That feeling when you've already asked your readers to work their way through 500 pages of crowded analysis, and a reviewer suggests that perhaps as well as Britain you should also have covered Darwin's reception in the rest of the world...
Reposted by Martin Hewitt
#jobfairy this is an intriguing one - 18 month research fellowship for an object-focused historian, museums studies person or similar at Chatsworth House! £48k + £11k travel, outreach etc #skystorians
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
Devonshire Collections Research Fellow at Chatsworth House Trust
Searching for an academic job? Explore this Devonshire Collections Research Fellow opening on jobs.ac.uk! Click to view more details and browse other academic jobs.
www.jobs.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 11:08 AM
#jobfairy this is an intriguing one - 18 month research fellowship for an object-focused historian, museums studies person or similar at Chatsworth House! £48k + £11k travel, outreach etc #skystorians
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DQK358/d...
Very interesting set of recommended Victorian novels from the cellist Steven Isserlis in *The Week* this week.
February 7, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Very interesting set of recommended Victorian novels from the cellist Steven Isserlis in *The Week* this week.
It's a shame the 'living' qualification means we didn't get a Carlyle vs Ruskin shoot out. Though Carlyle's stock was in a slump at this point.
That Ruskin number goes a long way to explain the enormous edition of his work later published by Cook and Wedderburn, both of whom were in their early 30s when this poll came out. His status as greatest writer/thinker of the age must have seemed incontestable to them when they began their work.
February 7, 2026 at 1:38 PM
It's a shame the 'living' qualification means we didn't get a Carlyle vs Ruskin shoot out. Though Carlyle's stock was in a slump at this point.
Best (living) writer in the PMG's 1885 poll? Ruskin of course (given that the novelist and journalists had their own category). Followed by Tennyson and a surprising ragbag of critics, reporters, and intellectuals. Spencer showing surprisingly strongly. Lecky, Mallock, Stephens, & Smiles also rans.
February 7, 2026 at 9:28 AM
Best (living) writer in the PMG's 1885 poll? Ruskin of course (given that the novelist and journalists had their own category). Followed by Tennyson and a surprising ragbag of critics, reporters, and intellectuals. Spencer showing surprisingly strongly. Lecky, Mallock, Stephens, & Smiles also rans.
Reposted by Martin Hewitt
Congratulations are in order to our 2026 Peterson Fellowship winner, Clare Clark! The committee notes that her project "promises a new angle on a familiar figure by applying a lens of periodical literature" to it. Read more here: rs4vp.org/awards/peter... We can't wait to read the finished product!
February 4, 2026 at 10:07 PM
Congratulations are in order to our 2026 Peterson Fellowship winner, Clare Clark! The committee notes that her project "promises a new angle on a familiar figure by applying a lens of periodical literature" to it. Read more here: rs4vp.org/awards/peter... We can't wait to read the finished product!
Seems have come back just this minute. Phew! Hopefully we'll get to hear what the problem was....
Apparently it's resolved and the fix should be rolled out everywhere shortly
February 3, 2026 at 7:28 PM
Seems have come back just this minute. Phew! Hopefully we'll get to hear what the problem was....
Trying again @newsfromgoogle.bsky.social Anything to say to reassure us all that this is just a glitch??
Hey @newsfromgoogle.bsky.social Any chance of an update/explanation as to why Google books has effectively stopped working? ls this just a temporary thing, or have you decided for whatever reason that you can't maintain the access we have all previously had and greatly benefitted from?
February 3, 2026 at 5:05 PM
Trying again @newsfromgoogle.bsky.social Anything to say to reassure us all that this is just a glitch??
@thomasgermain.bsky.social Are you aware that Google Books has effectively stopped working - the material is still there, but all search functions no longer seem to work, making fresh access impossible. Can't find any reportage on this but it seems a major story with huge implications..
February 3, 2026 at 1:35 PM
@thomasgermain.bsky.social Are you aware that Google Books has effectively stopped working - the material is still there, but all search functions no longer seem to work, making fresh access impossible. Can't find any reportage on this but it seems a major story with huge implications..
Hey @newsfromgoogle.bsky.social Any chance of an update/explanation as to why Google books has effectively stopped working? ls this just a temporary thing, or have you decided for whatever reason that you can't maintain the access we have all previously had and greatly benefitted from?
February 3, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Hey @newsfromgoogle.bsky.social Any chance of an update/explanation as to why Google books has effectively stopped working? ls this just a temporary thing, or have you decided for whatever reason that you can't maintain the access we have all previously had and greatly benefitted from?
I've tried a US-based VPN with the same lack of results. I hope it's only temporary - as part of a wider search strategy I've been finding Googlebooks invaluable in my search for information about obscure Victorian authors.
I'm in Poland with the same problem at the moment.
February 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM
I've tried a US-based VPN with the same lack of results. I hope it's only temporary - as part of a wider search strategy I've been finding Googlebooks invaluable in my search for information about obscure Victorian authors.
Reposted by Martin Hewitt
18 month postdoc at the lovely IHR in London, $41,740. Deadline 7 March. 'The Fellow will play a key role within the IHR team responsible for hosting the 2027 North American Conference in British Studies (NACBS)' in London 2027.
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Jacob Price Fellowship in British Studies (18 month FTC):London Senate House - Hybrid
The University of London is both the UK’s largest provider of international distance and online learning and the convenor of a federation of 17 renowned higher education institutions.
www.jobs.london.ac.uk
February 3, 2026 at 9:07 AM
18 month postdoc at the lovely IHR in London, $41,740. Deadline 7 March. 'The Fellow will play a key role within the IHR team responsible for hosting the 2027 North American Conference in British Studies (NACBS)' in London 2027.
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Repost to spread the word. #Skystorians
Anyone else finding that google books has just completely stopped working? Whatever I search for I get the no items found message. I see there has been some traffic re a reduction in what can be found, but nothing that suggests a complete shut down. Anyone know if this is this a UK-specific problem?
February 3, 2026 at 10:36 AM
Anyone else finding that google books has just completely stopped working? Whatever I search for I get the no items found message. I see there has been some traffic re a reduction in what can be found, but nothing that suggests a complete shut down. Anyone know if this is this a UK-specific problem?
Best novelist in PMG's 1885 '10 Greatest Living Englishmen' poll throws up more surprises, for a paper of the London clubland. Wilkie Collins on top (346), only just ahead of William Black, & Walter Besant. Hardy a distant 9th (a mere 20 votes), Meredith (9). 5 in desperation for the dead Trollope.
January 31, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Best novelist in PMG's 1885 '10 Greatest Living Englishmen' poll throws up more surprises, for a paper of the London clubland. Wilkie Collins on top (346), only just ahead of William Black, & Walter Besant. Hardy a distant 9th (a mere 20 votes), Meredith (9). 5 in desperation for the dead Trollope.
In 1885 the Pall Mall Gazette readers voted for the greatest living Englishmen (so no room for women) in 10 categories. For 'journalist', perhaps surprisingly, nearly two thirds voted for G.A. Sala, with the previous and current editors of the PMG (John Morley and W.T. Stead) in distant 2nd/3rd.
January 25, 2026 at 9:19 AM
In 1885 the Pall Mall Gazette readers voted for the greatest living Englishmen (so no room for women) in 10 categories. For 'journalist', perhaps surprisingly, nearly two thirds voted for G.A. Sala, with the previous and current editors of the PMG (John Morley and W.T. Stead) in distant 2nd/3rd.
Reposted by Martin Hewitt
Our latest PhD Placement opportunities - come and work at the British Library for 3-6 months to develop your research and professional skills. 8 projects available, deadline for applications 27 February.
www.bl.uk/services/res...
www.bl.uk/services/res...
PhD placement scheme
Our annual placement scheme offers doctoral researchers from all disciplines the chance to develop and apply skills and expertise outside the university sector.
www.bl.uk
January 20, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Our latest PhD Placement opportunities - come and work at the British Library for 3-6 months to develop your research and professional skills. 8 projects available, deadline for applications 27 February.
www.bl.uk/services/res...
www.bl.uk/services/res...
Looking foward to Porto in late October, talking about women, empire and all things Victorian. Can't say that a trip to a port merchants or two hasn't also crossed my mind. Come and join in!
Women and/of the Empire(s)
International conference hosted by the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (Faculdade de Letras), University of Porto, Portugal
womenandempire.wordpress.com
January 20, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Looking foward to Porto in late October, talking about women, empire and all things Victorian. Can't say that a trip to a port merchants or two hasn't also crossed my mind. Come and join in!
1st week as editor of the Curran Index, and thinking about priorities. I have to say that this (admittedly tongue-in-cheek) proposal from 1867 that all newspaper and magazine authors be compelled to provide their name, age, income, religion & politics would have made my job a whole lot easier!
![Picture of the full letter of 'Clotilde de Vaux, aged 35' to the Pall Mall Gazette, 31 July 1867, including the proposal that anyone publishing an article in a newspaper or periodical should register his [sic] name...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:osiltfnlggdr7s5gkultdrff/bafkreigz5kybebh4ohjf2ygjed7sic3piwc6ornd2sryavjmlwapeh43c4@jpeg)
January 7, 2026 at 11:36 AM
1st week as editor of the Curran Index, and thinking about priorities. I have to say that this (admittedly tongue-in-cheek) proposal from 1867 that all newspaper and magazine authors be compelled to provide their name, age, income, religion & politics would have made my job a whole lot easier!
'Traffic', the NASSR/NAVSA 2026 conference at Pasadena, CA; alongside the NACBS down the road. Sounds like the place to be in mid-November!
NASSR/NAVSA Conference – November 11-15, 2026 | Pasadena, CA | Hilton
traffic2026.ucr.edu
January 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
'Traffic', the NASSR/NAVSA 2026 conference at Pasadena, CA; alongside the NACBS down the road. Sounds like the place to be in mid-November!
Reposted by Martin Hewitt
Happy Holidays from RSVP! Our gift 🎁 to you is the debut of a new interview series, starting with @patrickleary.bsky.social, who sat down with @c19thnewshound.bsky.social this past year to discuss "Getting Started with Periodicals Research." Stay tuned for more in 2026! rs4vp.org/introducing-...
Introducing A New Interview Series – RSVP
We're launching a new series of interviews of senior RSVP members, who will discuss their advice for researching 19th-century periodicals.
rs4vp.org
December 23, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Happy Holidays from RSVP! Our gift 🎁 to you is the debut of a new interview series, starting with @patrickleary.bsky.social, who sat down with @c19thnewshound.bsky.social this past year to discuss "Getting Started with Periodicals Research." Stay tuned for more in 2026! rs4vp.org/introducing-...
Well the news is out! I'll be the next Editor of the Curran Index. Thrilled to have the opportunity to take the Curran forwards for the next five years. Looking forward to building on the work of Emily Middleton and Lars Atkin and making the Curran even more central to Victorian scholarhip.
The Curran Index to Nineteenth-Century Periodicals
The Curran Index to Nineteenth-Century Periodicals
www.curranindex.org
December 21, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Well the news is out! I'll be the next Editor of the Curran Index. Thrilled to have the opportunity to take the Curran forwards for the next five years. Looking forward to building on the work of Emily Middleton and Lars Atkin and making the Curran even more central to Victorian scholarhip.