Category Archives: History

Edward of Windsor

Posted on 20/11/2021 by carolinemmurray

I have written before (twice) about the tombs inside SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Venice, but on our visit a few weeks ago, Him Indoors pointed out something we had missed on many previous occasions – on the wall of … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biography, History, Italy, Museums and Galleries, Venice | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Dawson Turner

Posted on 29/10/2021 by carolinemmurray

I have just discovered, down the side of the metaphorical sofa, another large piece in the fascinating jigsaw of who knew whom in the Victorian artistic and scientific community. Dawson Turner (1775–1858) was a Great Yarmouth man, his father being … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Bibliography, Biography, Botany, France, History, Natural history, Printing and Publishing | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Plant of the Month: September 2021

Posted on 15/09/2021 by carolinemmurray

At this time of year, the colchicums are at their best, spreading out (usually under trees) in Cambridge University Botanic Garden in an apparently effortless, though brief, display. Come to think of it, I am not sure if I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Botany, Cambridge, Gardens, History, Natural history | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Titian in the Malverns

Posted on 08/09/2021 by carolinemmurray

We recently had a very few days in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and a tiny bit of Shropshire, a lovely wallow in nostalgia for me, and a bit of a revelation of the counties’ beauty for Him Indoors. (A further revelation was … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biography, History, Italy, Museums and Galleries, Venice | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Plant of the Month: August 2021

Posted on 30/08/2021 by carolinemmurray

When I was at school, a sign that autumn (and therefore the end of the holidays) was on its way was that buddleia started flowering – i.e. the end of August to early September. These days, it seems to start … Continue reading →

Posted in Biography, Botany, Gardens, History, Natural history | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

The Duke of Argyll’s Tea Tree

Posted on 15/05/2021 by carolinemmurray

In a recent stroll around the Systematic Beds in the Botanic Gardens, I was intrigued to spot this label:

Posted in Biography, Botany, Gardens, History, London, Natural history | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Mr Kick and Mr Frankcom

Posted on 16/04/2021 by carolinemmurray

Mary Capel (1630–1715, also spelled Capell), was the daughter of Arthur Capel, first Baron Capel of Hadham, Herts. (1604–49). He was already, by inheritance, a very rich man, but by his marriage in 1627 to Elizabeth Morrison, heiress of Cassiobury, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Bibliography, Biography, Botany, Gardens, History, London, Museums and Galleries, Natural history, Printing and Publishing, The Netherlands | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

St Jerome

Posted on 18/03/2021 by carolinemmurray

One of the Christmas gifts which I most appreciate every year is a diary from the National Gallery, donated by family members who understand that, as senility advances, I really do need to write down what (if anything) I have … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biography, Cambridge, History, Italy, London, Museums and Galleries, Printing and Publishing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Virtual Knowledge

Posted on 12/03/2021 by carolinemmurray

Now that The End may be in sight (touching wood, not counting my chickens, not jinxing it by booking holidays, etc. etc.), I’ve been pondering what, if anything, about life in lockdown I might actually miss. It is of course … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Bibliography, Biography, Botany, Cambridge, Gardens, History, London, Museums and Galleries, Natural history, Venice | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Lost Museum

Posted on 04/02/2021 by carolinemmurray

I have just come across the Leverian Museum, which sadly was broken up, after about thirty years, in 1806. Sir Ashton Lever, its founder, was born in 1729 at Alkrington Hall, then near, now in, Manchester. His father, Sir James … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Biography, History, London, Museums and Galleries, Natural history, Printing and Publishing | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment