Ann Kennedy Smith
@akennedysmith.bsky.social
Author, critic and researcher. Reviews & essays in TLS, Guardian, History Today, ODNB. Writing about books & women's history in my Cambridge Ladies' Dining Society newsletter. https://akennedysmith.substack.com/
Pinned
Dorothy L. Sayers at Oxford
'Scholar; Master of Arts; Domina'
open.substack.com
I wrote about the first Oxford University graduation ceremony to award degrees to women, which took place on 14 October 1920. 27-year-old Dorothy L. Sayers was among the fifty celebrants that day, and she never forgot it.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
Part of the problem is the way We have treated scientific discovery as if it is made by brilliant men.
All science is built on the science that came before. It is collaborative in multiple ways.
All attempts to credit a single scientist with THE crucial discovery are flawed.
All science is built on the science that came before. It is collaborative in multiple ways.
All attempts to credit a single scientist with THE crucial discovery are flawed.
November 8, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Part of the problem is the way We have treated scientific discovery as if it is made by brilliant men.
All science is built on the science that came before. It is collaborative in multiple ways.
All attempts to credit a single scientist with THE crucial discovery are flawed.
All science is built on the science that came before. It is collaborative in multiple ways.
All attempts to credit a single scientist with THE crucial discovery are flawed.
'Knowing was probably written by a male cleric, but ostensibly addresses a female readership. It emphasises the role of women as caregivers and midwives, but also as readers and mediators of the written word' James Freeman @theulspeccoll.bsky.social
specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk?p=30906
specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk?p=30906
In their own words: medical writings in Middle English – Cambridge University Library Special Collections
specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk
November 10, 2025 at 9:54 AM
'Knowing was probably written by a male cleric, but ostensibly addresses a female readership. It emphasises the role of women as caregivers and midwives, but also as readers and mediators of the written word' James Freeman @theulspeccoll.bsky.social
specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk?p=30906
specialcollections-blog.lib.cam.ac.uk?p=30906
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
In the lead up to the #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner announcement next month, we are shining a light on each of the shortlisted books.
This week, Sara Lodge's (@victoriandetective.bsky.social) 'The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective' takes the spotlight @yalebooks.bsky.social.
This week, Sara Lodge's (@victoriandetective.bsky.social) 'The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective' takes the spotlight @yalebooks.bsky.social.
November 10, 2025 at 9:08 AM
In the lead up to the #WolfsonHistoryPrize winner announcement next month, we are shining a light on each of the shortlisted books.
This week, Sara Lodge's (@victoriandetective.bsky.social) 'The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective' takes the spotlight @yalebooks.bsky.social.
This week, Sara Lodge's (@victoriandetective.bsky.social) 'The Mysterious Case of the Victorian Female Detective' takes the spotlight @yalebooks.bsky.social.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
My first lot of marking has arrived but so has the cover of the book!
November 10, 2025 at 9:43 AM
My first lot of marking has arrived but so has the cover of the book!
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
@akennedysmith.bsky.social's essay on DNA pioneer Dr Rosalind Franklin reminds us of the continued importance of giving women's historic scientific discoveries their due.
As Francis Crick put it, ‘I’m afraid we always used to adopt – let’s say, a patronizing attitude towards her.’ I wrote about DNA pioneer Dr Rosalind Franklin, and how she was deliberately excluded from her male colleagues' conversations.
Conversations with scientists
British chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Dr Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958)
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 8:33 PM
@akennedysmith.bsky.social's essay on DNA pioneer Dr Rosalind Franklin reminds us of the continued importance of giving women's historic scientific discoveries their due.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
Putting my hat in the ring for the BBC Director General job.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
November 9, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Putting my hat in the ring for the BBC Director General job.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
Key pledges:
1. No more barefoot contempo waft on Strictly
2. A weekly new music show that has no threat of Jools playing boogie boogie piano
3. Open University programmes and arty French films to be shown during the night.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
Looking forward to the BBC making a podcast about the cancellation of Tim Davie
November 9, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Looking forward to the BBC making a podcast about the cancellation of Tim Davie
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
The overlooked female poets of World War One
www.channel4.com/news/the-ove...
www.channel4.com/news/the-ove...
The overlooked female poets of World War One
So much of our understanding of the First World War comes from the poetry of the time.
www.channel4.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The overlooked female poets of World War One
www.channel4.com/news/the-ove...
www.channel4.com/news/the-ove...
As Francis Crick put it, ‘I’m afraid we always used to adopt – let’s say, a patronizing attitude towards her.’ I wrote about DNA pioneer Dr Rosalind Franklin, and how she was deliberately excluded from her male colleagues' conversations.
Conversations with scientists
British chemist and X-ray crystallographer, Dr Rosalind Franklin (1920-1958)
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:03 PM
As Francis Crick put it, ‘I’m afraid we always used to adopt – let’s say, a patronizing attitude towards her.’ I wrote about DNA pioneer Dr Rosalind Franklin, and how she was deliberately excluded from her male colleagues' conversations.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
ICYMI: BookTrust has launched its Christmas appeal, aiming to deliver 18,000 book parcels to disadvantaged children and those in care across England, Wales and Northern Ireland 👇 #BookSky
BookTrust launches 2025 Christmas appeal, aiming to deliver 18,000 parcels to young people in need
ebx.sh
November 8, 2025 at 12:57 PM
ICYMI: BookTrust has launched its Christmas appeal, aiming to deliver 18,000 book parcels to disadvantaged children and those in care across England, Wales and Northern Ireland 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
Pre-orders for the new Archipelago are now available. Not sure of the general contents yet, but I have a little essay on Heaney and Jutland, ‘Tollund, Grauballe, Nebelgard’.
www.clutagpress.com/product/arch...
www.clutagpress.com/product/arch...
Archipelago 2:5 - Clutag Press
Pre-publication orders now being accepted for delivery Spring 2026
www.clutagpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Pre-orders for the new Archipelago are now available. Not sure of the general contents yet, but I have a little essay on Heaney and Jutland, ‘Tollund, Grauballe, Nebelgard’.
www.clutagpress.com/product/arch...
www.clutagpress.com/product/arch...
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
This is from the final chapter of the biography of Franklin written by her younger sister, Jenifer Glynn. The picture Watson painted of her was a cruel lie - but lots of the corrective counter-stories, although important, can also obscure the real person.
November 8, 2025 at 12:59 PM
This is from the final chapter of the biography of Franklin written by her younger sister, Jenifer Glynn. The picture Watson painted of her was a cruel lie - but lots of the corrective counter-stories, although important, can also obscure the real person.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
"excluded from the world of informal exchanges" got me. That's the bit we still do really really badly. African scientists unable to get visas to attend conferences, mothers struggling with childcare, class exclusion. If we turn it into a "theft" narrative it's easy to say "oh well I don't do that".
November 8, 2025 at 7:55 AM
"excluded from the world of informal exchanges" got me. That's the bit we still do really really badly. African scientists unable to get visas to attend conferences, mothers struggling with childcare, class exclusion. If we turn it into a "theft" narrative it's easy to say "oh well I don't do that".
This is most revealing part of @matthewcobb.bsky.social's piece on Rosalind Franklin: "Franklin did not succeed, partly because she was working on her own without a peer with whom to swap ideas. She was also excluded from the world of informal exchanges in which Watson and Crick were immersed."
If you believe either that Franklin discovered the double helix, and / or Watson and Crick stole her data, ask yourself how you know this. Then take a read of this article.
If I see one more stupid Rosalind Franklin take I'm going to lose my mind. Thank god for @matthewcobb.bsky.social and @nccomfort.bsky.social. www.nature.com/articles/d41...
November 8, 2025 at 12:23 PM
This is most revealing part of @matthewcobb.bsky.social's piece on Rosalind Franklin: "Franklin did not succeed, partly because she was working on her own without a peer with whom to swap ideas. She was also excluded from the world of informal exchanges in which Watson and Crick were immersed."
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
I love these photos of my nan, my granddad and my uncle dancing in my grandparents' living room in Nottingham in 1972.
I am massively intrigued to know what the song was.
I am massively intrigued to know what the song was.
November 7, 2025 at 12:01 PM
I love these photos of my nan, my granddad and my uncle dancing in my grandparents' living room in Nottingham in 1972.
I am massively intrigued to know what the song was.
I am massively intrigued to know what the song was.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
(New). On E.M. Forster's 1909 story 'The Machine Stops', eerily prescient about our online world.
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
E.M. Forster's 'The Machine Stops' — Julian Girdham
E.M. Forster’s 1909 short story ‘The Machine Stops’ is an uncanny predictor of our own tech-saturated existence.
www.juliangirdham.com
November 8, 2025 at 11:27 AM
(New). On E.M. Forster's 1909 story 'The Machine Stops', eerily prescient about our online world.
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
'The Machine develops - but not on our lines. The Machine Proceeds - but not to our goal.'
www.juliangirdham.com/blog/em-fors...
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of this book! A marvellous new biography of The Notorious LMB.
PUBLICATION DAY!
My new book, ‘Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, rebel, kingmaker’ is out today.
“An epic journey”, “a powerful new biography”, “highly readable”, “vivid portrait”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/margaret-...
@headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#History #WomensHistory
My new book, ‘Margaret Beaufort: Survivor, rebel, kingmaker’ is out today.
“An epic journey”, “a powerful new biography”, “highly readable”, “vivid portrait”.
www.bloomsbury.com/uk/margaret-...
@headofzeus.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
#History #WomensHistory
Margaret Beaufort
Survivor. Rebel. Conspirator. Mother and grandmother of kings. Margaret Beaufort was one of the most remarkable and influential women of the Middle Ages.Margare…
www.bloomsbury.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of this book! A marvellous new biography of The Notorious LMB.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
'being dismissive of Oxbridge dons' oh no, did they also use the wrong fork?
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 AM
'being dismissive of Oxbridge dons' oh no, did they also use the wrong fork?
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
It’s possible our species wasn’t really intended to make it much past 45 or so. I’m trying to be grateful for every day I have made it past that. Instead of viewing my issues (cancer, autoimmune, menopause, root canal etc) as catastrophes, they are proof I yet remain. I am not a catastrophe. I live.
November 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM
It’s possible our species wasn’t really intended to make it much past 45 or so. I’m trying to be grateful for every day I have made it past that. Instead of viewing my issues (cancer, autoimmune, menopause, root canal etc) as catastrophes, they are proof I yet remain. I am not a catastrophe. I live.
I wrote about Mary Alice Willcox's education at Newnham College, Cambridge before she helped to establish the first zoology department at Wellesley College, Massachusetts.
An American in Cambridge
Mary Alice Willcox (1856 – 1953), zoologist and Wellesley College professor
akennedysmith.substack.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
I wrote about Mary Alice Willcox's education at Newnham College, Cambridge before she helped to establish the first zoology department at Wellesley College, Massachusetts.
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
It’s 6 November, and you know what that means, don’t you? YES, THAT’S RIGHT. It’s the 156th anniversary of the death of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s pet wombat
November 6, 2025 at 9:35 AM
It’s 6 November, and you know what that means, don’t you? YES, THAT’S RIGHT. It’s the 156th anniversary of the death of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s pet wombat
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
Thrilled to see Helen Garner’s diaries win 2025 Baillie Gifford prize for nonfiction. So well deserved. And what a result for creative nonfic... My interview with Garner from last year: www.ft.com/content/2f37...
Helen Garner, the greatest Australian writer you’re yet to read
Is one of the country’s finest writers about to get her moment in the sun? As three modern classics are republished in the UK, she talks to the FT
www.ft.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Thrilled to see Helen Garner’s diaries win 2025 Baillie Gifford prize for nonfiction. So well deserved. And what a result for creative nonfic... My interview with Garner from last year: www.ft.com/content/2f37...
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
Helen Garner has won The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction with How to End a Story: Collected Diaries (W&N) – the first diary to win the prize 👇 #BookSky
Baillie Gifford Prize: Helen Garner's journal is first diary to win £50k award
ebx.sh
November 5, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Helen Garner has won The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction with How to End a Story: Collected Diaries (W&N) – the first diary to win the prize 👇 #BookSky
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
The natural history of the book. Scarlet pimpernel in a copy of William Salmon’s ‘Botanologia: the English herbal’ (London, 1710) (along with several other pressed botanical specimens). CCA.46.31 @theUL.bsky.social
November 5, 2025 at 10:49 AM
The natural history of the book. Scarlet pimpernel in a copy of William Salmon’s ‘Botanologia: the English herbal’ (London, 1710) (along with several other pressed botanical specimens). CCA.46.31 @theUL.bsky.social
Reposted by Ann Kennedy Smith
An exhibition in Vienna confirms the newly established reputation of Michaelina Wautier as a great baroque artist and one of the most significant female painters in the history of art
Michaelina Wautier: portrait of a lady on fire
An exhibition at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna confirms the baroque artist’s status as a great painter, writes Luke Uglow
buff.ly
November 4, 2025 at 12:30 PM
An exhibition in Vienna confirms the newly established reputation of Michaelina Wautier as a great baroque artist and one of the most significant female painters in the history of art