James Fox
@jamesafox.bsky.social
Social historian of numeracy, communication, knowledge, books | Postdoc at Glasgow Uni researching early modern how-to books howtobook.eu | PhD from St Andrews on numeracy in early modern Britain | Writer and co-editor at scilicet.org.uk
Pleased to see this out in the open at last 😀
📣Out now on #firstview!
James Fox (@jamesafox.bsky.social) (@glasgow.ac.uk) on 'Numeracy, Otherness, and the Invention of ‘Civilization’ in Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Anglo-European Travel Writing'
#Science #China #Americas 17thc 18thc 🗃️
👉Open access: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
James Fox (@jamesafox.bsky.social) (@glasgow.ac.uk) on 'Numeracy, Otherness, and the Invention of ‘Civilization’ in Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Anglo-European Travel Writing'
#Science #China #Americas 17thc 18thc 🗃️
👉Open access: www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
January 12, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Pleased to see this out in the open at last 😀
Reposted by James Fox
📚 New on our blog, @jamesafox.bsky.social in search of how-to Sammelbände...
howtobook.hypotheses.org/5519
#bookhistory #booksky
howtobook.hypotheses.org/5519
#bookhistory #booksky
January 6, 2026 at 4:25 PM
📚 New on our blog, @jamesafox.bsky.social in search of how-to Sammelbände...
howtobook.hypotheses.org/5519
#bookhistory #booksky
howtobook.hypotheses.org/5519
#bookhistory #booksky
Reposted by James Fox
#Fireworks shifted from expert knowledge at court to bourgeois #DIY & finally to mass consumption. What was once controlled craft & symbolic order is now a deregulated spectacle with social, ecological & psychological costs.
howtobook.hypotheses...
#EverydayHistory @howtobooks.bsky.social
howtobook.hypotheses...
#EverydayHistory @howtobooks.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 11:34 AM
#Fireworks shifted from expert knowledge at court to bourgeois #DIY & finally to mass consumption. What was once controlled craft & symbolic order is now a deregulated spectacle with social, ecological & psychological costs.
howtobook.hypotheses...
#EverydayHistory @howtobooks.bsky.social
howtobook.hypotheses...
#EverydayHistory @howtobooks.bsky.social
Reposted by James Fox
Feeling the winter chill? ❄️
Ever wondered “Should royal monkeys wear sweaters” when it's cold out? You’re not alone! Let's take a look at a letter letter from Olof von Dalin to Carl Linnaeus, translated by @nataliesmith.bsky.social on the topic:
scilicet.org.uk/should-royal...
#Skystorians
Ever wondered “Should royal monkeys wear sweaters” when it's cold out? You’re not alone! Let's take a look at a letter letter from Olof von Dalin to Carl Linnaeus, translated by @nataliesmith.bsky.social on the topic:
scilicet.org.uk/should-royal...
#Skystorians
December 15, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Feeling the winter chill? ❄️
Ever wondered “Should royal monkeys wear sweaters” when it's cold out? You’re not alone! Let's take a look at a letter letter from Olof von Dalin to Carl Linnaeus, translated by @nataliesmith.bsky.social on the topic:
scilicet.org.uk/should-royal...
#Skystorians
Ever wondered “Should royal monkeys wear sweaters” when it's cold out? You’re not alone! Let's take a look at a letter letter from Olof von Dalin to Carl Linnaeus, translated by @nataliesmith.bsky.social on the topic:
scilicet.org.uk/should-royal...
#Skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
Reminder for anyone wanting to submit an abstract before the holidays!
📢 CALL FOR PAPERS: Marginal Militaries: Navigating Historical Boundaries, Differences, and Experiences at the Military Periphery
Conference date: 22-23 October, 2026
Location: @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social Stockholm, Sweden (hybrid participation tbc)
Cfp Deadline: 28 February, 2026
Conference date: 22-23 October, 2026
Location: @forsvarshogskolan.bsky.social Stockholm, Sweden (hybrid participation tbc)
Cfp Deadline: 28 February, 2026
December 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Reminder for anyone wanting to submit an abstract before the holidays!
Reposted by James Fox
Happy St Lucy’s Day! To mark the Feast of St Lucy, we thought we would share this petition from Pistoia regarding the renovation of her chapel.
December 12, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Happy St Lucy’s Day! To mark the Feast of St Lucy, we thought we would share this petition from Pistoia regarding the renovation of her chapel.
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest blog post, Clément Poupard discusses his research on early modern memory manuals, which he shared at our recent workshop on 'Body - Health - Home' at the Herzog August Bibliothek.
👉 Find out more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4960
👉 Find out more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4960
December 10, 2025 at 3:44 PM
In our latest blog post, Clément Poupard discusses his research on early modern memory manuals, which he shared at our recent workshop on 'Body - Health - Home' at the Herzog August Bibliothek.
👉 Find out more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4960
👉 Find out more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4960
Reposted by James Fox
This post brings together some reflections on the themes I explored in my Rettig Fellowship, funded by the Swedish National Heritage Board and the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities. The sources (travel diaries, military maps, antiquarian accounts) have been fun to work with!
To conclude our autumn series, @nataliesmith.bsky.social takes us through early modern descriptions of the Swedish landscape.
This article tells us what descriptions say about their authors, about empire, and so called 'objective' perspectives.
#Skystorians #Sweden
scilicet.org.uk/swedish-land...
This article tells us what descriptions say about their authors, about empire, and so called 'objective' perspectives.
#Skystorians #Sweden
scilicet.org.uk/swedish-land...
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 PM
This post brings together some reflections on the themes I explored in my Rettig Fellowship, funded by the Swedish National Heritage Board and the Royal Swedish Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities. The sources (travel diaries, military maps, antiquarian accounts) have been fun to work with!
Reposted by James Fox
Last week we ran a 2-day workshop at the Herzog August Bibliothek on the theme of 'Body-Health-Home', featuring a host of great papers, a 17th-century salad reconstruction, and, of course, some amazing how-to books 📚
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4800
#bookhistory #library #workshop
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4800
#bookhistory #library #workshop
November 20, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Last week we ran a 2-day workshop at the Herzog August Bibliothek on the theme of 'Body-Health-Home', featuring a host of great papers, a 17th-century salad reconstruction, and, of course, some amazing how-to books 📚
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4800
#bookhistory #library #workshop
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4800
#bookhistory #library #workshop
Reposted by James Fox
Where would we be without Google? Before the age of the internet lots of questions went unanswered.
In this week's article @jamesafox.bsky.social takes us through a curious list of questions compiled by Leonard Wheatcroft, a 17th c. man from Derbyshire.
#Skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/where-would-...
In this week's article @jamesafox.bsky.social takes us through a curious list of questions compiled by Leonard Wheatcroft, a 17th c. man from Derbyshire.
#Skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/where-would-...
November 19, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Where would we be without Google? Before the age of the internet lots of questions went unanswered.
In this week's article @jamesafox.bsky.social takes us through a curious list of questions compiled by Leonard Wheatcroft, a 17th c. man from Derbyshire.
#Skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/where-would-...
In this week's article @jamesafox.bsky.social takes us through a curious list of questions compiled by Leonard Wheatcroft, a 17th c. man from Derbyshire.
#Skystorians
scilicet.org.uk/where-would-...
Reposted by James Fox
Making a medieval manuscript was an artful process that required many types of specialised knowledge.
Our latest article by @guyfassler.bsky.social is a catalogue of everything you need to know about making medieval books that would last a millennium.
scilicet.org.uk/everything-y... #skystorians
Our latest article by @guyfassler.bsky.social is a catalogue of everything you need to know about making medieval books that would last a millennium.
scilicet.org.uk/everything-y... #skystorians
November 12, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Making a medieval manuscript was an artful process that required many types of specialised knowledge.
Our latest article by @guyfassler.bsky.social is a catalogue of everything you need to know about making medieval books that would last a millennium.
scilicet.org.uk/everything-y... #skystorians
Our latest article by @guyfassler.bsky.social is a catalogue of everything you need to know about making medieval books that would last a millennium.
scilicet.org.uk/everything-y... #skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
🎆Happy #GuyFawkesDay!
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
🎆Happy #GuyFawkesDay!
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
My latest post for Scilicet, on Frederick the Great's Anti-Machiavel
What does a Prince need to know?
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
October 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
My latest post for Scilicet, on Frederick the Great's Anti-Machiavel
Reposted by James Fox
What does a Prince need to know?
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
October 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
What does a Prince need to know?
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
👀 Want to find out more about our project?
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
October 27, 2025 at 2:34 PM
👀 Want to find out more about our project?
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
Reposted by James Fox
Navigating flu season is bad enough, but what are you meant to do when the Black Death strikes in your city? 💀In our latest article, @guyfassler.bsky.social looks at some lessons learned from #medieval Pistoia: scilicet.org.uk/the-black-de...
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
October 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Navigating flu season is bad enough, but what are you meant to do when the Black Death strikes in your city? 💀In our latest article, @guyfassler.bsky.social looks at some lessons learned from #medieval Pistoia: scilicet.org.uk/the-black-de...
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
Reposted by James Fox
This week we have a special article in which we share our thoughts about the History of Knowledge and what it means to us.
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
What is the history of knowledge? | Scilicet
Scilicet is a blog dedicated to the history of knowledge. In the broadest terms, we’re interested in what people in the past knew, what it meant to know things, and what we as historians can learn abo...
scilicet.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This week we have a special article in which we share our thoughts about the History of Knowledge and what it means to us.
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
The #cfp deadline for our 2026 conference on 'Print and Education is now just under 2 months away!!
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
🚨Call for Papers: The 18th St Andrews/USTC Book History Conference on 'Print and Education' will take place 18–20 June 2026.
👉 Further details here: www.ustc.ac.uk/conference
📅 Application deadline: 12 December 2025
📖 We look forward to receiving your proposals!
#CfP #bookhistory #skystorians
👉 Further details here: www.ustc.ac.uk/conference
📅 Application deadline: 12 December 2025
📖 We look forward to receiving your proposals!
#CfP #bookhistory #skystorians
October 13, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The #cfp deadline for our 2026 conference on 'Print and Education is now just under 2 months away!!
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
Reposted by James Fox
We've joined the blue sky! Just as the skies darken for winter too
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
The Scottish History Society
scottishhistorysociety.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We've joined the blue sky! Just as the skies darken for winter too
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social charts the meteoric rise and eventual decline of #18thcentury mathematician 🧮 Thomas Simpson.
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social charts the meteoric rise and eventual decline of #18thcentury mathematician 🧮 Thomas Simpson.
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest blog post, intern Sandrine Hoppe explores the earliest known recipe book authored by a woman in vernacular German, Anna Wecker's Ein köstlich new kochbuck (1598)
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
October 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
In our latest blog post, intern Sandrine Hoppe explores the earliest known recipe book authored by a woman in vernacular German, Anna Wecker's Ein köstlich new kochbuck (1598)
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
Reposted by James Fox
🤔 Is it better to learn from the wisdom of the ancients or from your experience gained over time?
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
October 1, 2025 at 3:11 PM
🤔 Is it better to learn from the wisdom of the ancients or from your experience gained over time?
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
Reposted by James Fox
What do beekeeping books tell us about changes in early modern science and society? @jamesafox.bsky.social has some suggestions, especially in relation to #17thCentury England scilicet.org.uk/the-hive-tur...
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
September 24, 2025 at 12:35 PM
What do beekeeping books tell us about changes in early modern science and society? @jamesafox.bsky.social has some suggestions, especially in relation to #17thCentury England scilicet.org.uk/the-hive-tur...
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
Reposted by James Fox
We're back from our summer break, and are ready for a new season ☀️ Keep an eye on this page tomorrow, there's something buzzing...
September 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
We're back from our summer break, and are ready for a new season ☀️ Keep an eye on this page tomorrow, there's something buzzing...
Reposted by James Fox
Great to see the latest issue of Scottish Archives in print! I've written a wee something about James VI's Scottish menagerie 🐆 🐪 👑
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
September 18, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Great to see the latest issue of Scottish Archives in print! I've written a wee something about James VI's Scottish menagerie 🐆 🐪 👑
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!