Dr Shelby Zimmerman
@shelbyzimme.bsky.social
Social historian of medicine, institutions, poverty, and death | PhD from Trinity College Dublin | Based in London
When on holiday in Alaska, I visited the Gold Rush #Cemetery in #Skagway. The cemetery opened in 1898 and is the resting place of prospectors and those who settled in Skagway. The headstones are a mix of original and restored monuments. I am intrigued about the history of the unknown headstones
August 13, 2025 at 1:04 PM
In the 1870s, the Holborn guardians built the Holborn Union Infirmary in Archway/Highgate, N London solely as a hospital distinct from the main workhouse site. Across the street at Whittington Hospital, is an 1848 Smallpox & Vaccination Hospital #workhouse #histmed #londonhistory #islington
June 1, 2025 at 1:46 PM
In the 1870s, the Holborn guardians built the Holborn Union Infirmary in Archway/Highgate, N London solely as a hospital distinct from the main workhouse site. Across the street at Whittington Hospital, is an 1848 Smallpox & Vaccination Hospital #workhouse #histmed #londonhistory #islington
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
🎧 Tune in to @nearfm.ie tomorrow (May 29th) at 6pm to hear @shelbyzimme.bsky.social exploring the reality of death, dying, and medical care in Dublin city’s largest poorhouse.
Supported by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television licence fee.
🔗 nearfm.ie/trinity-talk...
#TrinityTalks
Supported by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television licence fee.
🔗 nearfm.ie/trinity-talk...
#TrinityTalks
May 28, 2025 at 8:53 AM
🎧 Tune in to @nearfm.ie tomorrow (May 29th) at 6pm to hear @shelbyzimme.bsky.social exploring the reality of death, dying, and medical care in Dublin city’s largest poorhouse.
Supported by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television licence fee.
🔗 nearfm.ie/trinity-talk...
#TrinityTalks
Supported by Coimisiún na Meán with the Television licence fee.
🔗 nearfm.ie/trinity-talk...
#TrinityTalks
Thank you @tlrhub.bsky.social and NearFMfor inviting me to speak on medical relief and death in the post-Famine Dublin #workhouses. It was a great conversation & I enjoyed hearing about the audience’s family history. The recording will be released on 29 May #irishhistory #histmed
May 20, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Thank you @tlrhub.bsky.social and NearFMfor inviting me to speak on medical relief and death in the post-Famine Dublin #workhouses. It was a great conversation & I enjoyed hearing about the audience’s family history. The recording will be released on 29 May #irishhistory #histmed
Honoured to have contributed to this volume on death and institutions. My chapter examines how the priorities of post-Famine Irish workhouse administration shaped institutional mortality Thanks to @cendeathsociety.bsky.social @brisunipress.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/death-and-in...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/death-and-in...
March 27, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Honoured to have contributed to this volume on death and institutions. My chapter examines how the priorities of post-Famine Irish workhouse administration shaped institutional mortality Thanks to @cendeathsociety.bsky.social @brisunipress.bsky.social
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/death-and-in...
bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/death-and-in...
Excellent exhibition, ‘Making the Rounds’ at @rcnlibraries.bsky.social in London.This exhibit explores the experience and stories of workhouse nurses in Norfolk. As artefacts tend to not survive from workhouse infirmaries, artist Connie Flynn used textiles to share these stories #workhouse #histmed
March 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Excellent exhibition, ‘Making the Rounds’ at @rcnlibraries.bsky.social in London.This exhibit explores the experience and stories of workhouse nurses in Norfolk. As artefacts tend to not survive from workhouse infirmaries, artist Connie Flynn used textiles to share these stories #workhouse #histmed
Next week, the edited collection ‘Death and Institutions,’ which I contributed a chapter to will be published. Check out @deathstudiespod.bsky.social for an overview of the book, chapter summaries & editors’ interview @cendeathsociety.bsky.social
thedeathstudiespodcast.com/episodes/ #workhouse
thedeathstudiespodcast.com/episodes/ #workhouse
Episodes - The Death Studies Podcast
What’s the episode about? In this episode, get an overview of the 2025 Edited Collection Death and Institutions: Processes, Places and the Past What is the Book About? Institutions play a crucial role in shaping experiences of end-of-life care, dying, death, body disposal and bereavement. However, there has been little holistic or multidisciplinary research…
thedeathstudiespodcast.com
March 11, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Next week, the edited collection ‘Death and Institutions,’ which I contributed a chapter to will be published. Check out @deathstudiespod.bsky.social for an overview of the book, chapter summaries & editors’ interview @cendeathsociety.bsky.social
thedeathstudiespodcast.com/episodes/ #workhouse
thedeathstudiespodcast.com/episodes/ #workhouse
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
BBC News - Call for council to mark city's hidden burial ground
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Calls for council to mark 'forgotten' burial ground
The three-acre site near the City Hospital contains more than 10,000 bodies dating back to the Irish famine.
www.bbc.com
March 2, 2025 at 7:13 PM
BBC News - Call for council to mark city's hidden burial ground
www.bbc.com/news/article...
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Looking forward to returning to Dublin to speak at the UCD Centre for the History of Medicine in Ireland’s seminar series on 6 Feb. My paper will discuss the institutional options for end of life in late 19th and early 20th century Dublin. #histmed #irishhistory #workhouse @tlrhub.bsky.social
February 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Looking forward to returning to Dublin to speak at the UCD Centre for the History of Medicine in Ireland’s seminar series on 6 Feb. My paper will discuss the institutional options for end of life in late 19th and early 20th century Dublin. #histmed #irishhistory #workhouse @tlrhub.bsky.social
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
Trade Card of Nathaniel Longbottom, “Supplier of Skeletons in St. Thomas's Street, Southwark,” late 18th century. Longbottom would likely have had interactions with bodysnatchers (or “resurrectionists”) to help him procure skeletons for his shop.
Photo: Wellcome Collection
Photo: Wellcome Collection
December 28, 2024 at 3:12 PM
Trade Card of Nathaniel Longbottom, “Supplier of Skeletons in St. Thomas's Street, Southwark,” late 18th century. Longbottom would likely have had interactions with bodysnatchers (or “resurrectionists”) to help him procure skeletons for his shop.
Photo: Wellcome Collection
Photo: Wellcome Collection
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
The IHA Medical & Health Humanities Working Group have compiled an impressive Research Snapshot from across the island of Ireland. This report, launched on 27 Nov at the @ria.ie, includes an overview of research in this area from 138 colleagues in Ireland.
www.irishhumanities.com/assets/Uploa...
www.irishhumanities.com/assets/Uploa...
November 28, 2024 at 11:28 AM
The IHA Medical & Health Humanities Working Group have compiled an impressive Research Snapshot from across the island of Ireland. This report, launched on 27 Nov at the @ria.ie, includes an overview of research in this area from 138 colleagues in Ireland.
www.irishhumanities.com/assets/Uploa...
www.irishhumanities.com/assets/Uploa...
Spotted on London’s tube today. In the 1950s and 60s, there was a mass influx of Irish immigrants in England. It is great that the Irish government is reaching out to London residents who were confined in Irish mother and baby homes. Hopefully this is one step towards justice for these women
November 25, 2024 at 7:27 PM
Spotted on London’s tube today. In the 1950s and 60s, there was a mass influx of Irish immigrants in England. It is great that the Irish government is reaching out to London residents who were confined in Irish mother and baby homes. Hopefully this is one step towards justice for these women
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
My book Power and Powerlessness in Union Ireland: Life in a Palliative State (OUP, 2024) was just published online. It is ludicrously expensive, so let me explain the basic premise of the book. If interested, please encourage your local/univ library to buy a copy. academic.oup.com/book/58980
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November 25, 2024 at 11:00 AM
My book Power and Powerlessness in Union Ireland: Life in a Palliative State (OUP, 2024) was just published online. It is ludicrously expensive, so let me explain the basic premise of the book. If interested, please encourage your local/univ library to buy a copy. academic.oup.com/book/58980
🧵
🧵
Smallpox Elf is learning about anatomy & dissection at the @oldoptheatre.bsky.social. Test your diagnosis skills on the museum’s ’Disease Elves’ trail. Although smallpox had less than 25% mortality rate, vaccination reduced the risk of serious infections. It is the only globally eradicated disease
November 20, 2024 at 6:04 PM
Smallpox Elf is learning about anatomy & dissection at the @oldoptheatre.bsky.social. Test your diagnosis skills on the museum’s ’Disease Elves’ trail. Although smallpox had less than 25% mortality rate, vaccination reduced the risk of serious infections. It is the only globally eradicated disease
On 28 November, the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre will launch Mike Jay’s ‘Psychonauts: Drugs and the Modern Mind.’ The book discusses early scientists who experimented with mind-altering substances. Would interest historians of medicine, drug history, psych.
#histmed #drughistory #psychiatry #london
#histmed #drughistory #psychiatry #london
Exploring the Mind with Psychonauts: In Conversation with Mike Jay
Join us for an intriguing evening with author Mike Jay, who will discuss his latest book, Psychonauts: Drugs and the Modern Mind.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 14, 2024 at 5:27 PM
On 28 November, the Anaesthesia Heritage Centre will launch Mike Jay’s ‘Psychonauts: Drugs and the Modern Mind.’ The book discusses early scientists who experimented with mind-altering substances. Would interest historians of medicine, drug history, psych.
#histmed #drughistory #psychiatry #london
#histmed #drughistory #psychiatry #london
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
I am a historian based in London and am available for freelance research work. If there are any documents you would like to consult in London archives but unable to visit, I am happy to photograph or transcribe them. Please contact me if you’re looking for a research assistant
October 18, 2024 at 2:51 PM
I am a historian based in London and am available for freelance research work. If there are any documents you would like to consult in London archives but unable to visit, I am happy to photograph or transcribe them. Please contact me if you’re looking for a research assistant
Yesterday I saw ‘Small Things Like These’ in the cinema. This brilliant film examines the power the Church had over Ireland in the 1980s and how it encouraged citizens to be complacent regarding the Magdalene Laundries. It is important to remember the stories of women in these institutions.
National Centre for Research and Remembrance
www.gov.ie
November 10, 2024 at 4:48 PM
Yesterday I saw ‘Small Things Like These’ in the cinema. This brilliant film examines the power the Church had over Ireland in the 1980s and how it encouraged citizens to be complacent regarding the Magdalene Laundries. It is important to remember the stories of women in these institutions.
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
Last year, my dad passed away from brain cancer (glioblastoma). In his honour, I am participating in London's Halloween Walk to raise money for Brain Tumour Charity. Thank you for helping to support an excellent charity in finding a cure for brain tumours. t.co/tD1VGy0vFg
https://www.justgiving.com/page/shelby-keeling-1726764933465?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fshelby-keeling-1726764933465&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
t.co
September 30, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Last year, my dad passed away from brain cancer (glioblastoma). In his honour, I am participating in London's Halloween Walk to raise money for Brain Tumour Charity. Thank you for helping to support an excellent charity in finding a cure for brain tumours. t.co/tD1VGy0vFg
I am a historian based in London and am available for freelance research work. If there are any documents you would like to consult in London archives but unable to visit, I am happy to photograph or transcribe them. Please contact me if you’re looking for a research assistant
October 18, 2024 at 2:51 PM
I am a historian based in London and am available for freelance research work. If there are any documents you would like to consult in London archives but unable to visit, I am happy to photograph or transcribe them. Please contact me if you’re looking for a research assistant
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
London folk! One week today I’ll be at Old Operating Theatre talking about the history of dissection - with a chance to explore this amazing museum after dark, with a drink!
The Hand that Wields the Knife: A history of dissecting the human body (Museum Late) – The Old Operating Theatre
oldoperatingtheatre.com
October 17, 2024 at 5:52 PM
London folk! One week today I’ll be at Old Operating Theatre talking about the history of dissection - with a chance to explore this amazing museum after dark, with a drink!
Last year, my dad passed away from brain cancer (glioblastoma). In his honour, I am participating in London's Halloween Walk to raise money for Brain Tumour Charity. Thank you for helping to support an excellent charity in finding a cure for brain tumours. t.co/tD1VGy0vFg
https://www.justgiving.com/page/shelby-keeling-1726764933465?utm_medium=fundraising&utm_content=page%2Fshelby-keeling-1726764933465&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=pfp-share
t.co
September 30, 2024 at 6:34 PM
Last year, my dad passed away from brain cancer (glioblastoma). In his honour, I am participating in London's Halloween Walk to raise money for Brain Tumour Charity. Thank you for helping to support an excellent charity in finding a cure for brain tumours. t.co/tD1VGy0vFg
Brompton Cemetery is one of London’s Magnificent Seven garden cemeteries and is the resting place for Emmeline Pankhurst and John Snow. As a medical historian, it was great to see the grave of the doctor who determined cholera was waterborne in 1854 #histmed #london #cemetery #bromptoncemetery
August 24, 2024 at 4:17 PM
Brompton Cemetery is one of London’s Magnificent Seven garden cemeteries and is the resting place for Emmeline Pankhurst and John Snow. As a medical historian, it was great to see the grave of the doctor who determined cholera was waterborne in 1854 #histmed #london #cemetery #bromptoncemetery
Reposted by Dr Shelby Zimmerman
Thank you RTÈ for publishing my piece on how Trinity College Dublin acquired the skeleton of a centenarian who died in the North Dublin Union workhouse in 1889 #medicalhistory #workhouse #ethics #provenance
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...
How skeleton of 106 year old Dubliner ended up in Trinity College
The use of James Conway's body for medical research in 1889 says much about the unethical historical acquisition of human remains
www.rte.ie
April 1, 2024 at 12:31 PM
Thank you RTÈ for publishing my piece on how Trinity College Dublin acquired the skeleton of a centenarian who died in the North Dublin Union workhouse in 1889 #medicalhistory #workhouse #ethics #provenance
www.rte.ie/brainstorm/2...