While the Victorian Era didn't mark the inception of institutionalising individuals with mental health issues, it undeniably witnessed a significant surge in the establishment of asylums and the number of patients residing within them. The exact cause of this escalation remains ambiguous—whether it stemmed from a surge in psychotic illnesses or a decline in societal tolerance towards the mentally unwell is uncertain. Nonetheless, numerous patients found themselves admitted un

Richard Dadd, a Victorian artist, crafted intricate and enchanting paintings adorned with fairies and fantastical beings. Among his most renowned works is "The Fairy Feller’s Master-Stroke" (circa 1855–64), where flowers, leaves, and blades of grass cascade across the canvas, revealing a whimsical realm populated by diminutive figures clad in elaborate attire and crowns. These magical beings congregate around a brown-suited gentleman poised to split an acorn in twain with an

Czech-born photographer Jacques Biederer captured the daring sensuality of 1920s Paris through artful erotic and fetish imagery. His studio, Atelier Biederer, blended beauty and taboo—until his life was cut short by the war.

Compared to many other countries, the U.S. is relatively young. Despite this, it holds the third position in terms of population,...

Alessandro Moreschi, the last castrato, sang for the Vatican in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His haunting recordings reveal the legacy of castrato singers in Rome, whose voices defined an era of sacred music.

During a meeting held in his home on January 15, 1987, Dwyer, along with his press secretary James "Duke" Horshock and Deputy Treasurer Don Johnson, deliberated on the prospect of holding a press conference. At the gathering, Horshock and Johnson advised Dwyer against using the conference as a platform to criticise the governor or others linked to his criminal conviction. They also suggested hosting the conference at a venue other than his office. Despite their counsel, Dwyer

In 2014, Merrick Morton, a photographer living in Los Angeles and a former LAPD reserve officer, came across a neglected collection of LAPD crime photographs dating from the 1920s to the 1970s. These images were captured on cellulose nitrate-based film and negatives, which had deteriorated and were considered a fire hazard. Through collaboration with the Fototeka photo digitisation service and the US National Film Archive, these photographs were restored to a renewed lease on

The Correspondence That Led To Charles M. Schulz Creating A Black Peanuts Character In 1968

Dr. Young's Ideal Rectal Dilators, marketed in the United States from the late 19th century through at least the 1940s, were part of the growing industry of patent and proprietary medicines and devices during that era. These dilators were sold in sets of four, resembling torpedoes, made of hard rubber initially, later transitioning to plastic. Ranging from 1⁄2 to 1 inch in diameter and 3 to 4 inches in length, they were detailed in a retrospective piece in The American Journa

Below, Bo Diddley offers wisdom gleaned from a lifetime of navigating the complexities of the music industry and beyond, sharing his personal insights and tips for survival in an ever-changing world. Whether it's drugs, guns or women, Uncle Bo has got you covered! Alcohol and Drugs: Only drink Grand Marnier, and that’s to keep the throat from drying up in a place where there’s a lot of smoke. As for drugs: a big NO! Food : Eat anytime, anything you can get your hands on. I m

At a time when circuses and exhibitions reigned supreme, offering people a glimpse into the exotic and the unknown, London was visited by...

Nestled amidst the lush forests and pristine beaches of Kauai, Hawaii, there exists a fascinating chapter in the annals of countercultural history – the legendary Taylor Camp. It began with thirteen hippies seeking refuge from the ongoing campus riots and police brutality in the United States. They were arrested for vagrancy but Howard Taylor, brother of movie star Elizabeth, bailed them out of jail and invited them to settle on a beachfront land he owned. Cherry with Moses u

Frances Louisa Clayton, also known as Frances Clalin, emerges as a compelling figure in American history, though her narrative remains...

The Zangaki brothers were a pair of Greek photographers operating in Egypt during the late 1870s to the 1890s, crafting prints tailored for the burgeoning tourist market. Despite creating some of the era's most exquisite depictions of Victorian Egypt, scant details are available about their lives. While they are presumed to be Greek Cypriots, speculation exists that they hailed from Crete. Prior to the emergence of their photographic works in Egypt, little is documented about

Charles II earned the nickname 'The Merry Monarch' not only for his love of wine, song, and music but also for his extensive womanising, surpassing any other British monarch in history in the number of mistresses he kept (that we know of). Despite being married to Catherine of Braganza, a reserved Queen, she chose to overlook her husband's extramarital affairs. Their marriage remained childless, yet Charles fathered more than 11 illegitimate children with 14 mistresses and br

Albert Einstein’s office – just as the Nobel Prize-winning physicist left it, taken mere hours after Einstein died, Princeton, New Jersey, April 1955. Albert Einstein, whose groundbreaking theories revolutionised our understanding of the universe, passed away on April 18, 1955, due to heart failure at the age of 76. His funeral and cremation were kept remarkably private, with only one photographer, Ralph Morse of Life Magazine, managing to document the events of that remarkab

She's tattooed, Buddhist, and runs an antique shop in Portland, Oregon. Chrese Evans is Joseph Stalin's granddaughter and she couldn't be more different. Here's her remarkable story.

In the glitzy realm of Old Hollywood, where stars shone bright on the silver screen, there existed a shadowy figure who operated behind the scenes, shaping narratives and burying scandals beneath layers of secrecy. His name was Eddie Mannix, a man whose very existence blurred the lines between myth and reality. Here, we delve into the murky depths of Mannix's world, uncovering the alleged crimes he orchestrated and the enigmatic persona he cultivated. Eddie Mannix emerged as

Discover the wild world of Ghanaian and Nigerian hand-painted movie posters. Created by local artists in the 1980s and 1990s, these bold, surreal artworks turned Hollywood films into folk art masterpieces that are so bad they’re brilliant.

Surviving crew, from left to right, first row: Ernest Archer, Frederick Fleet, Walter Perkis, George Symons and Frederick Clench. Second row: Arthur Bright, George Hogg, John Moore, Frank Osman and Henry Etches. The White Star Line's Titanic holds a brief yet significant place in history. Anticipation surrounded its launch and maiden voyage, with the world captivated by its grandeur and unprecedented luxury. For those unfamiliar with the tale, here's a concise overview: The R

Violet Jessop, renowned as an ocean liner stewardess and nurse, is famously remembered for surviving the catastrophic sinkings of both the RMS Titanic in 1912 and its sister ship, the HMHS Britannic, in 1916. Remarkably, she had also been aboard the RMS Olympic when it collided with a British warship in 1911. Born on October 1, 1887, near Bahía Blanca, Argentina, Jessop was the eldest daughter of Irish immigrants, William and Katherine Jessop. She grew up alongside eight sibl

In the final 20 years of Albert Einstein's life, he rarely accepted invitations to speak at universities or accept honourary degrees as he found the presentations “ostentatious.” In May 1946, however, he accepted an invitation to Lincoln University in Pennsylvania which was also the first school in America to grant degrees to African American Students. “There is a separation of coloured people from white people in the United States. That separation is not a disease of coloure