Lesley A Hall
@erinacean.bsky.social
Archivist, historian, reader, Londoner, feminist
@erinacean
@erinacean@h-net.social
www.lesleyahall.net
https://lesleyahall.blogspot.com/
@erinacean
@erinacean@h-net.social
www.lesleyahall.net
https://lesleyahall.blogspot.com/
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Can any labor historians out there give me an example of a union that dramatically expanded its platform because of a shift in demographics of its constituents? E.g., newly taking a stand on racial injustice or civil rights because those issues became key to its new membership 🙏
February 12, 2026 at 10:21 PM
Can any labor historians out there give me an example of a union that dramatically expanded its platform because of a shift in demographics of its constituents? E.g., newly taking a stand on racial injustice or civil rights because those issues became key to its new membership 🙏
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
I've just signed "Back the National Commission Amendment" - Will you support the campaign too? actionstorm.org/petitions/ncer @OpenBritainHQ
actionstorm.org
February 12, 2026 at 2:58 PM
I've just signed "Back the National Commission Amendment" - Will you support the campaign too? actionstorm.org/petitions/ncer @OpenBritainHQ
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Do I know anyone in London or surrounds who is an EA Leader in Running Fitness or Coach in Running Fitness who could witness my LiRF practical videoing?
February 12, 2026 at 2:57 PM
Do I know anyone in London or surrounds who is an EA Leader in Running Fitness or Coach in Running Fitness who could witness my LiRF practical videoing?
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
This is the first time I've talked properly about my new book The Self-Improvers: The restless people who remade themselves and made the Pelman Age.
Here's a sneak preview of my slides - a whistle-stop tour from suburban Birmingham to Alprior, Ontario via a cave in Queensland's central highlands.
Here's a sneak preview of my slides - a whistle-stop tour from suburban Birmingham to Alprior, Ontario via a cave in Queensland's central highlands.
February 12, 2026 at 12:51 PM
This is the first time I've talked properly about my new book The Self-Improvers: The restless people who remade themselves and made the Pelman Age.
Here's a sneak preview of my slides - a whistle-stop tour from suburban Birmingham to Alprior, Ontario via a cave in Queensland's central highlands.
Here's a sneak preview of my slides - a whistle-stop tour from suburban Birmingham to Alprior, Ontario via a cave in Queensland's central highlands.
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Help! Can anybody more skilled than I in reading crabbing Tudor hands help me read what it is that the 100 oaks were cut down to make (the last word underlined)? [TNA, C 154/1 no. 3] #palaeography #skystorians
February 12, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Help! Can anybody more skilled than I in reading crabbing Tudor hands help me read what it is that the 100 oaks were cut down to make (the last word underlined)? [TNA, C 154/1 no. 3] #palaeography #skystorians
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
"Arguing intelligence & adjacent traits are biologically determined served a clear function for Epstein, who treated women as subordinate. It’s equally unsurprising that the powerful people he cultivated might come up with a natural, objective explanation for their perch at the top of society"
The Epstein Emails Show How the Powerful Talk About Race
The files reveal the disgraced financier’s interest in “race science.”
www.theatlantic.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:24 AM
"Arguing intelligence & adjacent traits are biologically determined served a clear function for Epstein, who treated women as subordinate. It’s equally unsurprising that the powerful people he cultivated might come up with a natural, objective explanation for their perch at the top of society"
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Ratcliffe has blown a pernicious group’s cover. Tax exile millionaires including media moguls, who exploit everyone and everything for themselves disguised as patriots acting for the ‘left behind’ white working class. Scapegoating immigrants is their ruse.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Starmer tells Jim Ratcliffe to apologise for saying UK ‘colonised’ by immigrants
PM calls comments by Man United co-owner, who also hit out at people on benefits, ‘offensive and wrong’
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Ratcliffe has blown a pernicious group’s cover. Tax exile millionaires including media moguls, who exploit everyone and everything for themselves disguised as patriots acting for the ‘left behind’ white working class. Scapegoating immigrants is their ruse.
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
www.theguardian.com/business/202...
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
In the 1970s, this tiny medieval church faced the prospect of demolition. Thankfully we saved it from that fate and it is now cared for by an active and loving group of volunteers.
1/10
1/10
February 12, 2026 at 8:01 AM
In the 1970s, this tiny medieval church faced the prospect of demolition. Thankfully we saved it from that fate and it is now cared for by an active and loving group of volunteers.
1/10
1/10
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
In Reform-led Worcestershire Council we are planning the highest council tax rise in England. Yes, we promised to lower taxes, but only a gullible fuckwit would believe that, right? 😉 Vote Reform, get what you deserve!
February 11, 2026 at 4:45 PM
In Reform-led Worcestershire Council we are planning the highest council tax rise in England. Yes, we promised to lower taxes, but only a gullible fuckwit would believe that, right? 😉 Vote Reform, get what you deserve!
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
The Ratcliffe dictionary is pretty gnarly
Colonisation
/ˌkɒlənʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
NOUN
The act of moving to a country, changing your name to one more easily pronounced by existing citizens, introducing food so good it's adopted as national cuisine and sustaining the health and transport infrastructure of the nation
/ˌkɒlənʌɪˈzeɪʃn/
NOUN
The act of moving to a country, changing your name to one more easily pronounced by existing citizens, introducing food so good it's adopted as national cuisine and sustaining the health and transport infrastructure of the nation
February 12, 2026 at 8:58 AM
The Ratcliffe dictionary is pretty gnarly
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Book Launch!
Callum G Brown - Ninety Humanists and the Ethical Transition of Britain: The Open Conspiracy 1930-80 (Bloomsbury, 2026)
Thurs 12 February 2026: 16:00-18:00
Humanities Research Hub,
Rm 101 @ 1 University Gardens.
Zoom link:https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/81429229738
Callum G Brown - Ninety Humanists and the Ethical Transition of Britain: The Open Conspiracy 1930-80 (Bloomsbury, 2026)
Thurs 12 February 2026: 16:00-18:00
Humanities Research Hub,
Rm 101 @ 1 University Gardens.
Zoom link:https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/81429229738
January 21, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Book Launch!
Callum G Brown - Ninety Humanists and the Ethical Transition of Britain: The Open Conspiracy 1930-80 (Bloomsbury, 2026)
Thurs 12 February 2026: 16:00-18:00
Humanities Research Hub,
Rm 101 @ 1 University Gardens.
Zoom link:https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/81429229738
Callum G Brown - Ninety Humanists and the Ethical Transition of Britain: The Open Conspiracy 1930-80 (Bloomsbury, 2026)
Thurs 12 February 2026: 16:00-18:00
Humanities Research Hub,
Rm 101 @ 1 University Gardens.
Zoom link:https://uofglasgow.zoom.us/j/81429229738
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
We're hiring! 📣
SGSAH is recruiting an EDI Associate Director (0.2FTE, Secondment) for a 2‑year term starting May 2026. Open to colleagues across SGSAH’s 17 member institutions.
🗓 Apply by 9th March 2026
📄 Full details: www.sgsah.ac.uk/about/news/h...
SGSAH is recruiting an EDI Associate Director (0.2FTE, Secondment) for a 2‑year term starting May 2026. Open to colleagues across SGSAH’s 17 member institutions.
🗓 Apply by 9th March 2026
📄 Full details: www.sgsah.ac.uk/about/news/h...
February 12, 2026 at 9:07 AM
We're hiring! 📣
SGSAH is recruiting an EDI Associate Director (0.2FTE, Secondment) for a 2‑year term starting May 2026. Open to colleagues across SGSAH’s 17 member institutions.
🗓 Apply by 9th March 2026
📄 Full details: www.sgsah.ac.uk/about/news/h...
SGSAH is recruiting an EDI Associate Director (0.2FTE, Secondment) for a 2‑year term starting May 2026. Open to colleagues across SGSAH’s 17 member institutions.
🗓 Apply by 9th March 2026
📄 Full details: www.sgsah.ac.uk/about/news/h...
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
I'm giving the Leicester Victorian Studies Annual Lecture next week!
Come along and explore fame, race, and disability in the 19th c
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social @yalebooks.bsky.social @araukie.bsky.social
le.ac.uk/victorian-st...
Come along and explore fame, race, and disability in the 19th c
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social @yalebooks.bsky.social @araukie.bsky.social
le.ac.uk/victorian-st...
Annual lecture | The Centre for Victorian Studies | University of Leicester
Find out more about our latest annual public lecture, hosted by the Centre for Victorian Studies at the University of Leicester
le.ac.uk
February 10, 2026 at 8:03 PM
I'm giving the Leicester Victorian Studies Annual Lecture next week!
Come along and explore fame, race, and disability in the 19th c
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social @yalebooks.bsky.social @araukie.bsky.social
le.ac.uk/victorian-st...
Come along and explore fame, race, and disability in the 19th c
@bavs-uk.bsky.social @ukdishisthub.bsky.social @bars.bsky.social @leverhulmetrust.bsky.social @yalebooks.bsky.social @araukie.bsky.social
le.ac.uk/victorian-st...
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
‘We should say that there are fans are at Old Trafford who 💯 applaud what Radcliffe is saying’, BBC 5 Live presenter says after a semi critical comment from a guest.
Why ‘should we say’ that some bigoted people agree with the bigoted rich man?
Why ‘should we say’ that some bigoted people agree with the bigoted rich man?
Rarely mentioned but about much of Ratcliffe’s business ‘success’ is based on draining public money (very common among these ‘self made tycoons’)
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
Eg democracyforsale.substack.com/p/ineos-set-...
February 12, 2026 at 7:30 AM
‘We should say that there are fans are at Old Trafford who 💯 applaud what Radcliffe is saying’, BBC 5 Live presenter says after a semi critical comment from a guest.
Why ‘should we say’ that some bigoted people agree with the bigoted rich man?
Why ‘should we say’ that some bigoted people agree with the bigoted rich man?
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
The deadline is tomorrow! But you do have until one minute to midnight on Friday 13 Feb to get your submission in for our 2026 conference. (and because we aren't cruel - you probably have a few minutes after midnight actually). All info here: openingdoors-ara2026.eventsair.site/call-for-pap...
Call for Papers
2026 Annual Conference of the Archives and Records Association (UK & Ireland)
openingdoors-ara2026.eventsair.site
February 12, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The deadline is tomorrow! But you do have until one minute to midnight on Friday 13 Feb to get your submission in for our 2026 conference. (and because we aren't cruel - you probably have a few minutes after midnight actually). All info here: openingdoors-ara2026.eventsair.site/call-for-pap...
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Why did charity become the outlet for global compassion?
Join us for the launch of 'Charity After Empire' by Matthew Hilton
24/3/26, QMUL, London E1
Book here eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-charity-after-empire-tickets-1981162909594
@qmul.bsky.social
Join us for the launch of 'Charity After Empire' by Matthew Hilton
24/3/26, QMUL, London E1
Book here eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-charity-after-empire-tickets-1981162909594
@qmul.bsky.social
Book Launch: Charity After Empire
British Humanitarianism, Decolonisation and Development
eventbrite.co.uk
February 12, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Why did charity become the outlet for global compassion?
Join us for the launch of 'Charity After Empire' by Matthew Hilton
24/3/26, QMUL, London E1
Book here eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-charity-after-empire-tickets-1981162909594
@qmul.bsky.social
Join us for the launch of 'Charity After Empire' by Matthew Hilton
24/3/26, QMUL, London E1
Book here eventbrite.co.uk/e/book-launch-charity-after-empire-tickets-1981162909594
@qmul.bsky.social
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
The study points to using libraries and visiting museums as bringing these enormous brain health benefits ... who would have thought? Well, librarians and museum folk for a start ... www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reading and writing can lower dementia risk by almost 40%, study finds
Cognitive health in later life is ‘strongly influenced’ by lifelong exposure to intellectually stimulating environments, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:57 AM
The study points to using libraries and visiting museums as bringing these enormous brain health benefits ... who would have thought? Well, librarians and museum folk for a start ... www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
OH SHIT
René Laloux's FANTASTIC PLANET arrives at the Prince Charles Cinema for the very first time next Thursday evening in our 300 seater downstairs screen, a very rare big screen outing for this 1973 animated classic.
🎟️: buff.ly/spMLiz0
🎟️: buff.ly/spMLiz0
February 12, 2026 at 10:02 AM
OH SHIT
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Today is the day! Record your day and be part of recording queer lives and histories in the UK. Sketch, type, write, or photograph your day. Even if you think your day isn't very interesting we'd still love to have it in our collection! All types of days, boring or brilliant are welcome #LGBTplusHM
We're looking to capture experiences of what it means to be queer in the UK today! To do that we're collecting day diaries for 12th February. It doesn't matter what you get up to, or how you record it, we'd love to have it!🧵 (1/4) #LGBTplusHM #lgbthm26
In 1982, inspired by the work of MO the National Lesbian and Gay survey began, it sought to capture what everyday life was like for queer people living in the UK. For our latest open call we're continuing the work of NLGS and asking what does it mean to be queer every day?
#lgbtqhistory
#lgbtqhistory
February 12, 2026 at 9:55 AM
Today is the day! Record your day and be part of recording queer lives and histories in the UK. Sketch, type, write, or photograph your day. Even if you think your day isn't very interesting we'd still love to have it in our collection! All types of days, boring or brilliant are welcome #LGBTplusHM
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
On 16 April, we co-host 'History and Archives in Practice, 2026' with @ihr.bsky.social, The National Archives, and University of Sheffield Library.
For #HAP26 our theme is: ‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research’ bit.ly/4tvKUnX. Booking now #Skystorians
For #HAP26 our theme is: ‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research’ bit.ly/4tvKUnX. Booking now #Skystorians
‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives’: programme and booking for ‘History and Archives in Practice, 2026’ now available - RHS
On Thursday 16 April 2026, the Royal Historical Society joins with The National Archives, Institute ofHistorical Research and University of Sheffield Library to co-host the this year’s History and Arc...
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 8:25 AM
On 16 April, we co-host 'History and Archives in Practice, 2026' with @ihr.bsky.social, The National Archives, and University of Sheffield Library.
For #HAP26 our theme is: ‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research’ bit.ly/4tvKUnX. Booking now #Skystorians
For #HAP26 our theme is: ‘Shaping Societies, Improving Lives: the Impact of Archives and Historical Research’ bit.ly/4tvKUnX. Booking now #Skystorians
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Hi BlueSky! 👋
We are the LSHTM archives team- we hold documents, letters, photographs, maps, publications and objects relating to global health and the history of the school📚. We are excited to share sneak peeks of our collections!🏺
Check out our online catalogue: calmview.lshtm.ac.uk/calmview/
We are the LSHTM archives team- we hold documents, letters, photographs, maps, publications and objects relating to global health and the history of the school📚. We are excited to share sneak peeks of our collections!🏺
Check out our online catalogue: calmview.lshtm.ac.uk/calmview/
February 5, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Hi BlueSky! 👋
We are the LSHTM archives team- we hold documents, letters, photographs, maps, publications and objects relating to global health and the history of the school📚. We are excited to share sneak peeks of our collections!🏺
Check out our online catalogue: calmview.lshtm.ac.uk/calmview/
We are the LSHTM archives team- we hold documents, letters, photographs, maps, publications and objects relating to global health and the history of the school📚. We are excited to share sneak peeks of our collections!🏺
Check out our online catalogue: calmview.lshtm.ac.uk/calmview/
Reposted by Lesley A Hall
Farage's stinking personal ratings are massively overlooked
Latest party leader net favourability ratings, February 2026
Kemi Badenoch: -23
Nigel Farage: -37
Keir Starmer: -47
Zack Polanski: -8 (48% DK)
Ed Davey: -10 (36% DK)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
Kemi Badenoch: -23
Nigel Farage: -37
Keir Starmer: -47
Zack Polanski: -8 (48% DK)
Ed Davey: -10 (36% DK)
yougov.co.uk/politics/art...
February 12, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Farage's stinking personal ratings are massively overlooked
Back in the distant past I catalogued this item: wellcomecollection.org/works/c5vny6us which includes among the phenomena discussed 'Lactation in virgins and old women and males'.
Galactorrhoea, persistent lactation, etc, and various disorders (including the Chiari-Frommel disease) in the secretion of milk--Reflex mammary disorders
Emotional effects on the secretion of milk. Bloody and other mammary discharges, and the subject of cystic disease of the breast. Mastitis in males and females--rare causes of etc. Question of possibl...
wellcomecollection.org
February 12, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Back in the distant past I catalogued this item: wellcomecollection.org/works/c5vny6us which includes among the phenomena discussed 'Lactation in virgins and old women and males'.
I once saw him on telly programme (okay, bit bitter they hadn't asked me!) and he was flagrantly ignorant of fact familiar to my elderly father about influence of Hollywood on rise of single beds in domestic furnishing in 1950s. (Okay, Dad a bit of a film buff.)
February 12, 2026 at 10:55 AM
I once saw him on telly programme (okay, bit bitter they hadn't asked me!) and he was flagrantly ignorant of fact familiar to my elderly father about influence of Hollywood on rise of single beds in domestic furnishing in 1950s. (Okay, Dad a bit of a film buff.)
Not sure whether this is a case for the Dr Johnson strategy: 'He talked to me at club one day... concerning Catiline's conspiracy—so I withdrew my attention, and thought about Tom Thumb' or being Elinor Dashwood 'did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition'.
February 12, 2026 at 10:52 AM
Not sure whether this is a case for the Dr Johnson strategy: 'He talked to me at club one day... concerning Catiline's conspiracy—so I withdrew my attention, and thought about Tom Thumb' or being Elinor Dashwood 'did not think he deserved the compliment of rational opposition'.