Blog

Baron Armstrong was a 19th century English engineer and industrialist and a prominent inventor, scientist and philanthropist and president of the Lit & Phil for forty years. He founded the Armstrong Whitworth manufacturing concern on Tyneside employing many thousands.

A light in our darkness or a candle in the wind?

Alan Beale examines the Latin origins of whiteness.

The Lit & Phil was the host to two Egyptian mummies. The second, Irtyru was extensively and rather gruesomely examined by three doctors in the prescence of members of the Lit & Phil. Anthea Lang tells the story of its unwrapping.

It may be a truism to say that you're never too old to learn but many mature students would heartily agree. Linda Coulby's inspiring example shows how education at a later stage in life can be transformative. Despite the government's apparently increasing discouragement to older students, it is still possible and as Linda tells, very worthwhile.

The Lit & Phil has copies of many fascinating if perhaps rather obscure texts. Two such are the 1869 reports of two expeditions to survey Jerusalem and Sinai with the intention of providing clean water for the city. Many of the people behind the reports have strong North East connections.