Keith Jewitt ponders the inconsistency between the way Percy Bysshe Shelley was presented to him as a grammar school student and the poets politically radical message.
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Doddy didn’t invent diddy, did he?
Alan Beale on the etymology of diminutives and their roots in Latin

The Official Registers of the Angelic Order of Life
Spiritualism, mysticism and séances: Gail-Nina Anderson on the intriguing life and work of William Oxley

Book of the Great Fire of Newcastle and Gateshead
The mysterious origin and surprise revelation of a 'A Record of the Great Fire of Newcastle and Gateshead' 1854.

Literary Anniversaries of 2022
From Shelley to Larkin via the modernism of Eliot and Joyce, with a side order of punk rock, Keith Jewitt celebrates some notable literary anniversaries for 2022 and wonders about The Next Big Thing.

The First Women Vice-Presidents
Although women had been members of the Society almost from its earliest days, it wasn't until the early 20th century that they rose higher than being a member of the board. Following on from his blog about The Lit and Phil's first women committee members, member Paul Gailiunas gives the background to two of the Society's first women vice-presidents.

The Lit and Phil's first women committee members
The Lit and Phil has had women members for very many years. Long standing member Paul Gailiunas has delved into the archives and presents his research about some of the very first women committee members and gives something of their story and background.

Dante at 700 - Part 3
In this final part of his trilogy about Dante and his works, Keith Jewitt considers Beatrice - was he the love of Dante's life or was she an invention? she was certainly his muse and inspiration. An appropriate end to a fascinating series of blogs.

Dante at 700 - Part 2
Keith Jewitt continues his exploration of Dante and The Divine Comedy touching on two of the most famous episodes - Paulo and Francesca who were murdered by Francesca's husband, and Ulysses who is explicitly on the receiving end of the wrath of Dante’s God. The Divine Comedy is never dull!
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