Blog

The Lit&Phil has a long long history of presenting the latest scientific inventions and achievements. Through the Lit&Phil, Clegg's engine may well have influenced Stephenson in his design of the first railway engine.

Newcastle has a strong history medical advances, a history which began with the foundation of the Newcastle Infirmary in 1751. Local author Ken Smith has written an illuminating blog about its early use of antiseptics.

Rev. Dr. Bruce was a regular figure at the Lit & Phil, and was for many years one of its Vice Presidents. Between 1845 and 1881 he lectured to the Society moe than thirty times, bringing before it the results of his earliest and latest researches into the history of the Roman Wall and the Bayeux Tapestry.

From egg throwing viola players to being the but of many jokes, the viola fights back!

“A Strange Kind of Patronage” or How the Literary and Philosophical Society helped Henry Greathead fool Parliament and created the myth of the invention of the lifeboat.

Gail Nina Anderson tells of fairies, who told what tales where and when, and how variations were coloured by religious beliefs, dialect., local landscape and economy - or perhaps just the flair of a particular storyteller.

For his final outing, Keith Jewitt takes us on the highways and byways of Jesmond, encountering a witch, a well and the watchers.

Following on from the success of our first competition to write a haiku, we are delighted to announce a brand new competition to write a short review of a book that you have enjoyed or had significance for you during lockdown.

From our Summer Magazine, the full interview with illustrious local author Debbie Smith.

"...given the importance of climate change, impinging as it does upon our everyday lives, I attach great importance to the ability of scientists to communicate effectively and clearly to the wider public and those in authority"