Beth Gaskell
@bethgaskell.bsky.social
Lead Curator, News & Moving Image at the British Library. Researcher of press history, military-media relations, and social and literary history in the long 19th century. Views all my own.
Pinned
Beth Gaskell
@bethgaskell.bsky.social
· Nov 13
List of Free to View Pages | British Newspaper Archive
Working in partnership with the British Library, here we present a list of all newspaper pages included in our free to view newspaper collection.
blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
Thought I’d make my first post both positive and useful-so here’s a list of all of the free-to-view titles now available on the British Newspaper Archive:
blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2024/09/19/a...
blog.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/2024/09/19/a...
Reposted by Beth Gaskell
Apply for our PhD placement scheme to get involved in extraordinary research at the Library. There are eight available placements exploring a variety of themes including war poetry, 21st-century digital tools, illustrated newspapers and decarbonisation.
Find out more: link.bl.uk/PhDPlacements
Find out more: link.bl.uk/PhDPlacements
February 4, 2026 at 10:55 AM
Apply for our PhD placement scheme to get involved in extraordinary research at the Library. There are eight available placements exploring a variety of themes including war poetry, 21st-century digital tools, illustrated newspapers and decarbonisation.
Find out more: link.bl.uk/PhDPlacements
Find out more: link.bl.uk/PhDPlacements
The British Library’s PhD placement scheme for 26/27 is now open. My team are offering an exciting placement aiming to raise the profile of our illustrated newspaper collection: www.bl.uk/services/res...
PhD placement scheme
Our annual placement scheme offers doctoral researchers from all disciplines the chance to develop and apply skills and expertise outside the university sector.
www.bl.uk
January 27, 2026 at 9:29 AM
The British Library’s PhD placement scheme for 26/27 is now open. My team are offering an exciting placement aiming to raise the profile of our illustrated newspaper collection: www.bl.uk/services/res...
It's #MastheadMonday again, & today we feature The Weekly Chronicle (1836-67). A liberal newspaper, in the 1850s it had links to the Temperance Movement, via its publisher William Tweedie. Digitised by the British Library & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/weekl...
October 20, 2025 at 9:05 PM
It's #MastheadMonday again, & today we feature The Weekly Chronicle (1836-67). A liberal newspaper, in the 1850s it had links to the Temperance Movement, via its publisher William Tweedie. Digitised by the British Library & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/weekl...
Today's #MastheadMonday is the True Sun (1832-37). Founded by Patrick Grant due to his feud with Murdo Young, who he believed had swindled him out of ownership of the Sun newspaper. Charles Dickens was briefly the paper's Parliamentary reporter. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/true-...
September 29, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Today's #MastheadMonday is the True Sun (1832-37). Founded by Patrick Grant due to his feud with Murdo Young, who he believed had swindled him out of ownership of the Sun newspaper. Charles Dickens was briefly the paper's Parliamentary reporter. www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/true-...
Today's #MastheadMonday is The Censor (1846). This pro-Free Trade newspaper, used satire as a tool to bring about reform, particularly focussing its attacks on gambling and gaming-houses. It lasted only 4 issues. Digitised by the BL & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/censo...
September 22, 2025 at 9:58 AM
Today's #MastheadMonday is The Censor (1846). This pro-Free Trade newspaper, used satire as a tool to bring about reform, particularly focussing its attacks on gambling and gaming-houses. It lasted only 4 issues. Digitised by the BL & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/censo...
White searching for something else for @liamsims.bsky.social I stumbled across T.B Browne’s Provincial Newspaper Circular. It has the most wonderful illustrations of Browne’s advertising offices. The information these advertising guides & directories provide for newspaper historians is invaluable.
September 18, 2025 at 3:35 PM
White searching for something else for @liamsims.bsky.social I stumbled across T.B Browne’s Provincial Newspaper Circular. It has the most wonderful illustrations of Browne’s advertising offices. The information these advertising guides & directories provide for newspaper historians is invaluable.
Today’s #MastheadMonday offering is the Town & Country Daily Newspaper (1873). It ran from July-Sept, before merging into the Sun (1792-1871; 1873-76), which itself had newly emerged from a merger with the Central Press (1861-1871). Free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/town-...
September 15, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Today’s #MastheadMonday offering is the Town & Country Daily Newspaper (1873). It ran from July-Sept, before merging into the Sun (1792-1871; 1873-76), which itself had newly emerged from a merger with the Central Press (1861-1871). Free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/town-...
Today's #MastheadMonday is the British Army Despatch (1848-1856), a newspaper devoted to military news. It had a conservative stance, supporting the Duke of Wellington's military leadership and outlook. Digitised by the BL and free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/briti...
September 1, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Today's #MastheadMonday is the British Army Despatch (1848-1856), a newspaper devoted to military news. It had a conservative stance, supporting the Duke of Wellington's military leadership and outlook. Digitised by the BL and free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/briti...
The Radical Act behind your local library: Celebrating 175 years of public libraries blogs.bl.uk/thenewsroom/...
The Radical Act behind your local library: Celebrating 175 years of public libraries
This post was written by Jenny Pearce, Senior Marketing Manager for LibraryOn at the British Library. 2025 sees the 175th anniversary of the Public Library Act 1850. The Act was an initial step in pro...
blogs.bl.uk
August 13, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The Radical Act behind your local library: Celebrating 175 years of public libraries blogs.bl.uk/thenewsroom/...
Today's #MastheadMonday is the Hackney & Kingsland Times (1862-63), which began life as the Kingsland Times & General Advertiser (1860-62), & covered local, national & international news. It is another London Local digitised by the BL & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/kings...
July 21, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Today's #MastheadMonday is the Hackney & Kingsland Times (1862-63), which began life as the Kingsland Times & General Advertiser (1860-62), & covered local, national & international news. It is another London Local digitised by the BL & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/kings...
Reposted by Beth Gaskell
(If you're a UK based historian, or just History-curious, and don't know about the IHR, you are missing a treat). Over 50 fortnightly seminars (most also available online) during the academic year, and much more. Visit the Institute and its library if you're in London. And it's free. 2/2
Institute of Historical Research
The Institute of Historical Research is the UK's national centre for history
www.history.ac.uk
July 18, 2025 at 10:27 AM
(If you're a UK based historian, or just History-curious, and don't know about the IHR, you are missing a treat). Over 50 fortnightly seminars (most also available online) during the academic year, and much more. Visit the Institute and its library if you're in London. And it's free. 2/2
Pierce Egan's Life in London & Sporting Guide (1824-27) is today's #MastheadMonday. Egan, who was publisher, editor & proprietor was an established journalist & sports writer, who wrote particularly about boxing. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/pierc...
July 14, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Pierce Egan's Life in London & Sporting Guide (1824-27) is today's #MastheadMonday. Egan, who was publisher, editor & proprietor was an established journalist & sports writer, who wrote particularly about boxing. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/pierc...
2 hours to check in for a for a flight with #americanairlines at O’Hare. Booked via #britishairways but that just means the online and kiosk check in doesn’t work and then you’re out into the queue of doom! This is the biggest shambles!
@americanair.bsky.social
@americanairsupport.bsky.social
@americanair.bsky.social
@americanairsupport.bsky.social
July 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
2 hours to check in for a for a flight with #americanairlines at O’Hare. Booked via #britishairways but that just means the online and kiosk check in doesn’t work and then you’re out into the queue of doom! This is the biggest shambles!
@americanair.bsky.social
@americanairsupport.bsky.social
@americanair.bsky.social
@americanairsupport.bsky.social
Following on from last week’s #MastheadMonday, today we have the Correspondent & Public Cause. This was the 2nd title used by the Public Cause, followed by The Public Cause,or Westminster Reformer, & The Public Cause & General Correspondent. 1/2
July 7, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Following on from last week’s #MastheadMonday, today we have the Correspondent & Public Cause. This was the 2nd title used by the Public Cause, followed by The Public Cause,or Westminster Reformer, & The Public Cause & General Correspondent. 1/2
It’s #MastheadMonday again. Today we feature the Public Cause (1811-1816), a which had a reformist and often anti-monarchy agenda. At times it expressed support for Napoleon; & regularly reprinted Byron’s poetry. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/publi...
June 30, 2025 at 8:36 AM
It’s #MastheadMonday again. Today we feature the Public Cause (1811-1816), a which had a reformist and often anti-monarchy agenda. At times it expressed support for Napoleon; & regularly reprinted Byron’s poetry. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/publi...
Excited to see my article ‘Esprit de Corps: Regimental Journals and Belonging’ published in JEPS!
New issue of Journal of European Periodicals out! And it's open access openjournals.ugent.be/jeps/
Journal of European Periodical Studies
openjournals.ugent.be
June 24, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Excited to see my article ‘Esprit de Corps: Regimental Journals and Belonging’ published in JEPS!
It’s #MastheadMonday & today’s title is the Nonconformist Elector (1847). This short-lived newspaper was launched with the sole aim of forwarding the prospects of nonconformist candidates in the 1847 election. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/nonco...
June 23, 2025 at 8:48 AM
It’s #MastheadMonday & today’s title is the Nonconformist Elector (1847). This short-lived newspaper was launched with the sole aim of forwarding the prospects of nonconformist candidates in the 1847 election. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/nonco...
It’s #MastheadMonday again! Today we have the Greenwich Free Press (1855-1865), one of the London Locals we digitised as part of @BL_MadeDigital. It is packed full of great local stories, as well as national and international news. Free to view here: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/borou...
June 16, 2025 at 8:48 AM
It’s #MastheadMonday again! Today we have the Greenwich Free Press (1855-1865), one of the London Locals we digitised as part of @BL_MadeDigital. It is packed full of great local stories, as well as national and international news. Free to view here: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/borou...
Today’s #MastheadMonday is the short-lived Aurora Borealis (1821). London based, it devoted lots of space to Scottish news, which proved unpopular with its readers. It merged with the Observer of the Times in 1822. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/auror...
June 9, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Today’s #MastheadMonday is the short-lived Aurora Borealis (1821). London based, it devoted lots of space to Scottish news, which proved unpopular with its readers. It merged with the Observer of the Times in 1822. Digitised by the BL & free-to-view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/auror...
You Got Honed: Corruption, sham trials, and satire – step inside the world of 19th century satirist William Hone www.tiktok.com/@britishlibr... Had a lot of fun providing inspiration, background info and collections items for the Young Creator's Lab #britishlibrary #youngcreatorslab #youngcreators
Corruption, sham trials, and satire – step inside the world of 19th century satirist William Hone… In the 1800s, Hone published satirical pamphlets criticising the courts and crown of corruption (wh...
TikTok video by British Library
www.tiktok.com
June 6, 2025 at 12:47 PM
You Got Honed: Corruption, sham trials, and satire – step inside the world of 19th century satirist William Hone www.tiktok.com/@britishlibr... Had a lot of fun providing inspiration, background info and collections items for the Young Creator's Lab #britishlibrary #youngcreatorslab #youngcreators
Had a great time talking to @michaelsavage.bsky.social about the Belfast News Letter. It’s interesting to think what such a long running newspaper can tell us about continuity & change in politics, in society & in the newspaper industry.
NEW: There’s a newspaper still going that reported the Declaration of Independence, French Revolution & the Act of Union as contemporary events.
The oldest surviving copy reports the arrest of Dick Turpin’s dad.
The amazing new Belfast News Letter archive:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/j...
The oldest surviving copy reports the arrest of Dick Turpin’s dad.
The amazing new Belfast News Letter archive:
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/j...
‘It’s thrilling’: almost three centuries of the Belfast News Letter go online
The surviving editions of the world’s oldest, continuously published English-language daily can now be accessed free
www.theguardian.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
Had a great time talking to @michaelsavage.bsky.social about the Belfast News Letter. It’s interesting to think what such a long running newspaper can tell us about continuity & change in politics, in society & in the newspaper industry.
Reposted by Beth Gaskell
Calling all creators! Join us this Friday 30 May for Young Creators Lab: Connect & Create – an evening of talks, creative networking, workshops, and more 🎤✨
With Yomi Adegoke, Sophia Smith Galer, Keith Afadi & Historical Han.
Free tickets: bit.ly/BLEventsYCL
With Yomi Adegoke, Sophia Smith Galer, Keith Afadi & Historical Han.
Free tickets: bit.ly/BLEventsYCL
May 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Calling all creators! Join us this Friday 30 May for Young Creators Lab: Connect & Create – an evening of talks, creative networking, workshops, and more 🎤✨
With Yomi Adegoke, Sophia Smith Galer, Keith Afadi & Historical Han.
Free tickets: bit.ly/BLEventsYCL
With Yomi Adegoke, Sophia Smith Galer, Keith Afadi & Historical Han.
Free tickets: bit.ly/BLEventsYCL
Something different for today’s #MastheadMonday: the evolution of the Masthead of the British Neptune (1803-1823). Here are examples from 1803, 1805, 1810 and 1818, after which the Masthead stayed the same. Digitised by the BL & free to view:
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/briti...
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/briti...
May 19, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Something different for today’s #MastheadMonday: the evolution of the Masthead of the British Neptune (1803-1823). Here are examples from 1803, 1805, 1810 and 1818, after which the Masthead stayed the same. Digitised by the BL & free to view:
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/briti...
www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/briti...
Reposted by Beth Gaskell
Just over 2 weeks left to apply for the fully-funded PhD ‘the Northern Echo and the Politics of Place’ working with me @northumbriauni.bsky.social & @bethgaskell.bsky.social @britishlibrary.bsky.social please share with networks & anyone you think might be interested www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
The Northern Echo and the Politics of Place at Northumbria University on FindAPhD.com
PhD Project - The Northern Echo and the Politics of Place at Northumbria University, listed on FindAPhD.com
www.findaphd.com
May 15, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Just over 2 weeks left to apply for the fully-funded PhD ‘the Northern Echo and the Politics of Place’ working with me @northumbriauni.bsky.social & @bethgaskell.bsky.social @britishlibrary.bsky.social please share with networks & anyone you think might be interested www.findaphd.com/phds/project...
Today's #MastheadMonday is The Evening Star (1842-43), Feargus O'Connor's attempt at a London daily Chartist newspaper, on the back of the success of the weekly Northern Star (1837-52). It lasted less than a year. Digitised by the BL & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/eveni...
May 12, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Today's #MastheadMonday is The Evening Star (1842-43), Feargus O'Connor's attempt at a London daily Chartist newspaper, on the back of the success of the weekly Northern Star (1837-52). It lasted less than a year. Digitised by the BL & free to view: www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/titles/eveni...