Dr John Davies
@jed1848.bsky.social
Independent scholar. Eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.
Currently researching the life of Charles Francis Greville.
Currently researching the life of Charles Francis Greville.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
I think it's sweet that the oldest surviving printed book in the world - the Diamond Sutra - is also the oldest creative work explicitly released into the public domain, with a colophon at the end that says it was created for universal free distribution.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond...
Diamond Sutra - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I think it's sweet that the oldest surviving printed book in the world - the Diamond Sutra - is also the oldest creative work explicitly released into the public domain, with a colophon at the end that says it was created for universal free distribution.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diamond...
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Rory, from the Outsiders project. There was an intensity to his gaze which is difficult to describe but hopefully captured in this portrait. I think the image has a timeless look to it but I find it very upsetting to think of someone like this abandoned by society. It’s such a waste of potential.
December 5, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Rory, from the Outsiders project. There was an intensity to his gaze which is difficult to describe but hopefully captured in this portrait. I think the image has a timeless look to it but I find it very upsetting to think of someone like this abandoned by society. It’s such a waste of potential.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
In memory of Twitter
BL Add MS 11639; The Northern French Miscellany; 1277-1324 CE; f.332v
BL Add MS 11639; The Northern French Miscellany; 1277-1324 CE; f.332v
December 24, 2025 at 8:34 PM
In memory of Twitter
BL Add MS 11639; The Northern French Miscellany; 1277-1324 CE; f.332v
BL Add MS 11639; The Northern French Miscellany; 1277-1324 CE; f.332v
Reposted by Dr John Davies
GREENLAND UPDATE: 🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱
Message from the Premier of Greenland
Message from the Premier of Greenland
December 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
GREENLAND UPDATE: 🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱🇬🇱
Message from the Premier of Greenland
Message from the Premier of Greenland
Reposted by Dr John Davies
What type of Christmas you have depends on your beliefs 😂
December 24, 2025 at 10:49 AM
What type of Christmas you have depends on your beliefs 😂
Reposted by Dr John Davies
🗃️ Socialist of the Day: Mary Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones from 1897 on, was an Irish-born American schoolteacher and dressmaker who became a prominent union organizer, community organizer, and activist. She helped coordinate major strikes and co-founded the Industrial Workers of the World.
December 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
🗃️ Socialist of the Day: Mary Harris Jones, known as Mother Jones from 1897 on, was an Irish-born American schoolteacher and dressmaker who became a prominent union organizer, community organizer, and activist. She helped coordinate major strikes and co-founded the Industrial Workers of the World.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Herring girls gutting fish on the quayside, North Shields, 1930s, photo by Edwin Smith (1912-71).
December 23, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Herring girls gutting fish on the quayside, North Shields, 1930s, photo by Edwin Smith (1912-71).
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Some pretty fancy eye action here. Other action discreetly below the picture frame! By François Clouet, d. OTD 1572.
December 22, 2025 at 11:22 PM
Some pretty fancy eye action here. Other action discreetly below the picture frame! By François Clouet, d. OTD 1572.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Love and solidarity to Palestine Action hunger strikers their friends and families.
December 22, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Love and solidarity to Palestine Action hunger strikers their friends and families.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Beatrix Potter--English writer, illustrator, natural scientist--died #OTD in 1943.
With >250 million copies sold, she is one of the best-selling authors of all time. Her most famous book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵, remains one of the best-selling books in history. #booksky #literature #litsky
With >250 million copies sold, she is one of the best-selling authors of all time. Her most famous book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵, remains one of the best-selling books in history. #booksky #literature #litsky
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Beatrix Potter--English writer, illustrator, natural scientist--died #OTD in 1943.
With >250 million copies sold, she is one of the best-selling authors of all time. Her most famous book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵, remains one of the best-selling books in history. #booksky #literature #litsky
With >250 million copies sold, she is one of the best-selling authors of all time. Her most famous book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘛𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘙𝘢𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘵, remains one of the best-selling books in history. #booksky #literature #litsky
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Few facts about the Palestine Action protesters on Hunger Strike
1. They never attacked anyone with sledgehammers (That was a different group)
2. They didn't commit aggravated burglary, they didn't attack anyone, they didn't even steal anything
3. They shouldn't be in jail
1. They never attacked anyone with sledgehammers (That was a different group)
2. They didn't commit aggravated burglary, they didn't attack anyone, they didn't even steal anything
3. They shouldn't be in jail
December 22, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Few facts about the Palestine Action protesters on Hunger Strike
1. They never attacked anyone with sledgehammers (That was a different group)
2. They didn't commit aggravated burglary, they didn't attack anyone, they didn't even steal anything
3. They shouldn't be in jail
1. They never attacked anyone with sledgehammers (That was a different group)
2. They didn't commit aggravated burglary, they didn't attack anyone, they didn't even steal anything
3. They shouldn't be in jail
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Profound Words to Sprinkle On
Your Christmas Week ✨️
(No need to choose a winner.
Take them all. Share them all.)
Your Christmas Week ✨️
(No need to choose a winner.
Take them all. Share them all.)
December 22, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Profound Words to Sprinkle On
Your Christmas Week ✨️
(No need to choose a winner.
Take them all. Share them all.)
Your Christmas Week ✨️
(No need to choose a winner.
Take them all. Share them all.)
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Not just a national asset but an international asset. Trashed, ignored, diminished.
The worst of times: Trouble at the British Library
Cyber chaos, striking staff and a crisis of leadership. Claudia Cockerell investigates a national treasure’s year of reckoning
www.standard.co.uk
December 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Not just a national asset but an international asset. Trashed, ignored, diminished.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Mr Thomas’s Chop House, corner of Cross Street and St Anne’s Alley, Manchester, 2015, photo by Dave Wood.
December 22, 2025 at 8:47 AM
Mr Thomas’s Chop House, corner of Cross Street and St Anne’s Alley, Manchester, 2015, photo by Dave Wood.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
This image did not appear in the Epstein files, and nobody should share misinformation
December 21, 2025 at 10:18 PM
This image did not appear in the Epstein files, and nobody should share misinformation
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Playful Form and Color Collide in These #Photos by Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda #photography
Link for more fun photos and information: mossandfog.com/playful-form...
Link for more fun photos and information: mossandfog.com/playful-form...
December 21, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Playful Form and Color Collide in These #Photos by Anna Devís and Daniel Rueda #photography
Link for more fun photos and information: mossandfog.com/playful-form...
Link for more fun photos and information: mossandfog.com/playful-form...
Reposted by Dr John Davies
One more thought: a lot of what I do as a historian is discard material. 50% (or more) of what I read/find does not go into my books. But I still need to know what these documents say, where they're located, and why I'm choosing not to include them in the book. This is vital.
Research is about discovery. THE FACEMAKER opens with the story of Private Percy Clare, who's shot in the face in WWI. I found his handwritten diary at the Imperial War Museum, which led me to connecting with relatives of his who were able to provide further documents & details about his life.
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 21, 2025 at 8:02 PM
One more thought: a lot of what I do as a historian is discard material. 50% (or more) of what I read/find does not go into my books. But I still need to know what these documents say, where they're located, and why I'm choosing not to include them in the book. This is vital.
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Absolutely stunning!
1/n
2 NEW epic images of Phobos over Mars just released by @esa.int Mars Express
This view is especially striking, with Phobos between the Tharsis volcanoes and Noctis Labyrinthus–Valles Marineris
Full resolution 300MP(!) & info on: flic.kr/p/2rMW4so
Credit: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin/AndreaLuck CC BY 🧪🔭
2 NEW epic images of Phobos over Mars just released by @esa.int Mars Express
This view is especially striking, with Phobos between the Tharsis volcanoes and Noctis Labyrinthus–Valles Marineris
Full resolution 300MP(!) & info on: flic.kr/p/2rMW4so
Credit: ESA/DLR/FUBerlin/AndreaLuck CC BY 🧪🔭
December 21, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Absolutely stunning!
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Pause for a moment, and read...
December 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Pause for a moment, and read...
Reposted by Dr John Davies
A side view of Leeds Civic Hall. Erected 1930-33 by the unemployed building workers of Leeds it was designed by architect, Emanuel Vincent Harris & was opened by King George V in 1933. Made of Portland stone with a slate roof. The idea to build it was conceived in 1928 after /1
December 21, 2025 at 4:49 PM
A side view of Leeds Civic Hall. Erected 1930-33 by the unemployed building workers of Leeds it was designed by architect, Emanuel Vincent Harris & was opened by King George V in 1933. Made of Portland stone with a slate roof. The idea to build it was conceived in 1928 after /1
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Fascinating article on how we used to have 2 sleeps from 9pm to 11pm to remove the exhaustion of the day, followed by 'the watch' from 11pm to 1am, a time for chores, chat or physical intimacy followed by a 2nd sleep from 1am to dawn or early morning. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
The forgotten medieval habit of 'two sleeps'
For millennia, people slept in two shifts – once in the evening, and once in the morning. But why? And how did the habit disappear?
www.bbc.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Fascinating article on how we used to have 2 sleeps from 9pm to 11pm to remove the exhaustion of the day, followed by 'the watch' from 11pm to 1am, a time for chores, chat or physical intimacy followed by a 2nd sleep from 1am to dawn or early morning. 👇
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
www.bbc.co.uk/future/artic...
Reposted by Dr John Davies
Have you ever heard someone go off, and their words are so perfectly chosen, so well said in that moment, that you’re in awe? You think, “There’s nothing to add here,” and you applaud in your head.
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Have you ever heard someone go off, and their words are so perfectly chosen, so well said in that moment, that you’re in awe? You think, “There’s nothing to add here,” and you applaud in your head.
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
That’s exactly this. Pure perfection. 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Reposted by Dr John Davies
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE!?
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
December 21, 2025 at 10:06 AM
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE!?
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
Where is Congress? Where are they?
I want to film this for my kids & my grandkids. I want them to see the day democracy died in Washington, D.C.
Even George is upset 🦮
& we should all be shocked!
No one is here to say this is wrong!
I was born here.
I'm Andrew Howard.
1/5🧵
Reposted by Dr John Davies
#SocialistSunday Capitalism = record profits, doubled rent, healthcare is a privilege. Socialism = Guaranteed housing, healthcare, education, 8 hour work days, paid leave, no billionaires. Workers own the means as we built it all. Drop me a follow for a follow back today.
December 21, 2025 at 10:27 AM
#SocialistSunday Capitalism = record profits, doubled rent, healthcare is a privilege. Socialism = Guaranteed housing, healthcare, education, 8 hour work days, paid leave, no billionaires. Workers own the means as we built it all. Drop me a follow for a follow back today.