20th Century

The “Charm” of Objectivity

Anita Frison’s open access book Africa in Russian Imperial Culture: Race, Empire, and Representation (1850–1917) unmasks how pre-Soviet Russia produced exotifying portrayals of Sub-Saharan Africa while distinguishing itself as a benevolent actor in contrast to its colonial counterparts in the West.

20th Century

Life writing, family stories and ‘history from below’

We still have so few accounts of ordinary peoples’ lives told in their own voices and on their own terms. Might Norah’s diaries allow a different kind of access to a working-class girl’s interior life?

ceramics

Looking forward, looking back: William Moorcroft in the news

Within the space of just five days in June this year, William Moorcroft was twice in the news.

our authors

Saki and Mr Selfridge

Bruce Gaston connects Fenwick’s closure to the golden age of department stores and Edwardian satire by H.H. Munro (Saki), highlighting Munro's work for Selfridge's and the discovery of his lesser-known stories, emphasizing the lasting impact of department store culture and literary digitization.