Josh Smith
@smithjj.bsky.social
Historian of libraries, books and politics in 18th/19thC Britain and US | AHRC/SGSAH PhD from StirUni | Prev RA on Eighteenth-Century Libraries Online and Books and Borrowing (https://borrowing.stir.ac.uk/)| Volunteer guide @ Leighton Library, Dunblane
Pinned
Josh Smith
@smithjj.bsky.social
· Nov 20
A happy first Bluesky post. Last week I successfully defended my thesis. Thanks to my examiners, Kelsey Jackson Williams and Richard Whatmore, and chair, Phia Steyn, for a wonderful viva and to my supervisors, @emmamacleod95.bsky.social and Katie Halsey, for their support over the last four years.
Reposted by Josh Smith
The first great American 250th anniversary date of the year arrives this Friday: the publication of Thomas Paine's COMMON SENSE, which occurred on January 9, 1776.
Many sources have the date as January 10, 1776. This is incorrect. But what accounts for the confusion???? Friends, follow me.
Many sources have the date as January 10, 1776. This is incorrect. But what accounts for the confusion???? Friends, follow me.
January 5, 2026 at 5:20 PM
The first great American 250th anniversary date of the year arrives this Friday: the publication of Thomas Paine's COMMON SENSE, which occurred on January 9, 1776.
Many sources have the date as January 10, 1776. This is incorrect. But what accounts for the confusion???? Friends, follow me.
Many sources have the date as January 10, 1776. This is incorrect. But what accounts for the confusion???? Friends, follow me.
Reposted by Josh Smith
My article “‘In Just Seven Days, I Can Make You a Man’: Queerness and Masculinity in Frankenstein (1818) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)” has been published in the Keats Shelley Review! 👇🏼
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
‘In Just Seven Days, I Can Make You a Man’: Queerness and Masculinity in Frankenstein (1818) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This article examines the intersections of queerness, masculinity and heteronormativity in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (1818) and its queer adaptation, The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975). While R...
www.tandfonline.com
January 2, 2026 at 2:53 PM
My article “‘In Just Seven Days, I Can Make You a Man’: Queerness and Masculinity in Frankenstein (1818) and The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)” has been published in the Keats Shelley Review! 👇🏼
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Josh Smith
Did you spot news segment on tonight’s STV News programme about Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library with STV news reporter Joanne Bonnar, speaking with library’s Josh Smith, Alastair MacDonald, Celia Aitken & Dan Gunn.
Watch it on STV Player on 5.20pm News programme for Sunday 28 December…/👇
Watch it on STV Player on 5.20pm News programme for Sunday 28 December…/👇
December 28, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Did you spot news segment on tonight’s STV News programme about Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library with STV news reporter Joanne Bonnar, speaking with library’s Josh Smith, Alastair MacDonald, Celia Aitken & Dan Gunn.
Watch it on STV Player on 5.20pm News programme for Sunday 28 December…/👇
Watch it on STV Player on 5.20pm News programme for Sunday 28 December…/👇
Reposted by Josh Smith
#ArchiveAdventCalendar theme 18 is #ArchiveElves. Perhaps Archives Elves for Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library this year have to be project team of Books & Borrowing 1750-1830 (in which Leighton Library collection & borrower records feature, & several members of team are…/👇
December 18, 2025 at 10:14 AM
#ArchiveAdventCalendar theme 18 is #ArchiveElves. Perhaps Archives Elves for Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library this year have to be project team of Books & Borrowing 1750-1830 (in which Leighton Library collection & borrower records feature, & several members of team are…/👇
Reposted by Josh Smith
A nice surprise this morning: my article on prison reform from below is out!
I believe it’s open access but let me know if you can’t get a copy and would like one.
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
I believe it’s open access but let me know if you can’t get a copy and would like one.
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
Prison reform from below: London, c.1780–1830*
Abstract. This article explores the history of the English prison reform movement from ‘below’ – that is, from the perspective of prison inmates. By highli
academic.oup.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:17 AM
A nice surprise this morning: my article on prison reform from below is out!
I believe it’s open access but let me know if you can’t get a copy and would like one.
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
I believe it’s open access but let me know if you can’t get a copy and would like one.
academic.oup.com/histres/adva...
Reposted by Josh Smith
#ArchiveAdventCalendar theme 1 is #presents. Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library shop has host of present ideas, from place-mats & coasters, to mugs, tote-bags & more
☕️ Support us at our Christmas Coffee Morning on Sat 6 Dec 10am-12 noon in Dunblane Cathedral Hall
…/👇
☕️ Support us at our Christmas Coffee Morning on Sat 6 Dec 10am-12 noon in Dunblane Cathedral Hall
…/👇
December 1, 2025 at 9:12 AM
#ArchiveAdventCalendar theme 1 is #presents. Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library shop has host of present ideas, from place-mats & coasters, to mugs, tote-bags & more
☕️ Support us at our Christmas Coffee Morning on Sat 6 Dec 10am-12 noon in Dunblane Cathedral Hall
…/👇
☕️ Support us at our Christmas Coffee Morning on Sat 6 Dec 10am-12 noon in Dunblane Cathedral Hall
…/👇
This was such great fun.
Listen below for some highlights from the PhD including the only individual to be fined for a late borrowing from the Leighton, an unlikely library friendship, and the conspiracy theories of library members.
Listen below for some highlights from the PhD including the only individual to be fined for a late borrowing from the Leighton, an unlikely library friendship, and the conspiracy theories of library members.
Newly available, here’s recording on Leighton Library YouTube channel of Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith on Sat 15 Nov
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture by Dr Josh Smith
YouTube video by Leighton Library Dunblane
youtu.be
November 28, 2025 at 10:57 AM
This was such great fun.
Listen below for some highlights from the PhD including the only individual to be fined for a late borrowing from the Leighton, an unlikely library friendship, and the conspiracy theories of library members.
Listen below for some highlights from the PhD including the only individual to be fined for a late borrowing from the Leighton, an unlikely library friendship, and the conspiracy theories of library members.
Reposted by Josh Smith
📢 Happy to announce that registration is now OPEN for our conference, 'Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century' (15 Jan. 2026) 📢
Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Provisional Programme here: www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
Please share widely!
Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Provisional Programme here: www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
Please share widely!
Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century
The Romance, Revolution and Reform journal's annual conference
www.eventbrite.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:33 AM
📢 Happy to announce that registration is now OPEN for our conference, 'Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century' (15 Jan. 2026) 📢
Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Provisional Programme here: www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
Please share widely!
Register here: www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Provisional Programme here: www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
Please share widely!
Reposted by Josh Smith
#Museum30 theme 27 is #achievement. It’s been remarkable achievement for Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library to have undertaken major restoration of 17th century building. Help us achieve next phase to redevelop Undercroft to create accessible welcome, interpretation, engagement and exhibition…/👇
November 27, 2025 at 8:10 AM
#Museum30 theme 27 is #achievement. It’s been remarkable achievement for Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library to have undertaken major restoration of 17th century building. Help us achieve next phase to redevelop Undercroft to create accessible welcome, interpretation, engagement and exhibition…/👇
Reposted by Josh Smith
Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library is open for Dunblane Christmas Extravaganza, and we’ll have a stall also at St Blane’s Church Hall
November 26, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Dunblane’s historic Leighton Library is open for Dunblane Christmas Extravaganza, and we’ll have a stall also at St Blane’s Church Hall
Reposted by Josh Smith
Newly available, here’s recording on Leighton Library YouTube channel of Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith on Sat 15 Nov
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture by Dr Josh Smith
YouTube video by Leighton Library Dunblane
youtu.be
November 20, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Newly available, here’s recording on Leighton Library YouTube channel of Leighton Library 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith on Sat 15 Nov
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
▶️ youtu.be/rFYkUOsluyw
Reposted by Josh Smith
Want to learn more about Scots in the British Army in North America? #HATM
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
November 22, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Want to learn more about Scots in the British Army in North America? #HATM
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
Matthew P. Dziennik
Fatal Land: War, Empire, and the Highland Soldier in British America
Nicola Martin, The British Army in Scotland and North America 1745-1775: militarisation on the fringes of the empire,
Reposted by Josh Smith
View the programme on our website here. So many fun and important papers, really demonstrating the quality and originality of research happening at this critical moment in the field.
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
www.rrrjournal.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
View the programme on our website here. So many fun and important papers, really demonstrating the quality and originality of research happening at this critical moment in the field.
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
www.rrrjournal.com/_files/ugd/d...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Registration for @rrrjournal.bsky.social's annual conference is now open! Please join us for what will be an intellectually stimulating and rewarding day for PGRs, ECRs, and academics to connect and discuss 'Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century'!
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century
The Romance, Revolution and Reform journal's annual conference
www.eventbrite.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Registration for @rrrjournal.bsky.social's annual conference is now open! Please join us for what will be an intellectually stimulating and rewarding day for PGRs, ECRs, and academics to connect and discuss 'Sex in the Long Nineteenth Century'!
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
www.eventbrite.com/e/sex-in-the...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Come visit our excellent Archives & Special Collections! Especially strong in eighteenth-century and Romantic-period books due to the copyright privilege. Awards cover costs up to £2500.
📣Our UofG Library Visiting Research Fellowships are now open for applications!
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
We’re delighted to invite scholars from across the globe to apply to work with our internationally significant collections.
Apply at: www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/li...
📆Closing date: 5 January 2026
#UofGLibraryFellows
November 13, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Come visit our excellent Archives & Special Collections! Especially strong in eighteenth-century and Romantic-period books due to the copyright privilege. Awards cover costs up to £2500.
This Saturday! Do come along if you're about in Dunblane!
All welcome on Sat 15 Nov at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to free 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This Saturday! Do come along if you're about in Dunblane!
Reposted by Josh Smith
It's a lifeline, not a comprehensive solution to the crisis, but if you're a UK-based PhD (or equivalent) in a SHAPE subject within 10 years of your viva, do join the British Academy's ECRN. It's free, has resources & you don't need to be employed in research or academia to be a member. 3/3
Early Career Researcher Network: key information for ECRs
www.thebritishacademy.ac.uk
November 12, 2025 at 10:23 AM
It's a lifeline, not a comprehensive solution to the crisis, but if you're a UK-based PhD (or equivalent) in a SHAPE subject within 10 years of your viva, do join the British Academy's ECRN. It's free, has resources & you don't need to be employed in research or academia to be a member. 3/3
Reposted by Josh Smith
I don't know anything about fantasy and sci-fi as genres - is there crossover?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
November 11, 2025 at 9:08 AM
I don't know anything about fantasy and sci-fi as genres - is there crossover?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
I feel like they share a lot of similar traits and I'm wondering if time travel narratives can be classed as fantasy 🤔 (does it depend on if the method is magical or scientific?)
Any recommended reading?
Reposted by Josh Smith
All welcome on Sat 15 Nov at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to free 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
November 10, 2025 at 9:07 PM
All welcome on Sat 15 Nov at 10.30am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to free 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at the Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
Reposted by Josh Smith
Any transcription help, please, lovely bluesky? My language skills don't extend beyond the place and date 🙏
October 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Any transcription help, please, lovely bluesky? My language skills don't extend beyond the place and date 🙏
Excited to be speaking in Dunblane on 15 Nov for the Leighton Library. I'll be sharing findings from my PhD and the @books-borrowing.bsky.social project.
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
October 28, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Excited to be speaking in Dunblane on 15 Nov for the Leighton Library. I'll be sharing findings from my PhD and the @books-borrowing.bsky.social project.
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
Do come along to hear more about Enlightenment and conspiracy in the reading habits of Leighton members!
Reposted by Josh Smith
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the fascinating historic library, as Dr Josh h shares findings from his project completed at @stir.ac.uk
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
October 27, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about the fascinating historic library, as Dr Josh h shares findings from his project completed at @stir.ac.uk
Reposted by Josh Smith
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
October 27, 2025 at 2:10 PM
A date for your diary! All welcome, Sat 15 Nov at 10am in Dunblane Cathedral Hall, to 2025 Geraldine Goddard Memorial Lecture, “Enlightenment & Conspiracy at Leighton Library, 1780-1832’ presented by Dr Josh Smith, Leighton Library Volunteer Guide
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
www.leightonlibrary.org.uk/calendar/202...
…/👇
Reposted by Josh Smith
Here’s something to look forward to!
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
October 21, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Here’s something to look forward to!
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
In celebration of the publication of Medieval Manuscripts in Bristol Collections: A Descriptive Catalogue / Kathleen E. Kennedy @themedievaldrk.bsky.social & Melek Karataş - 📚 Bristol Central Library are having an exhibition!
🗓️ 4-18 December
Reposted by Josh Smith
And we're away. Bridget Phillipson is introducing the Post-16 Education and Skills paper. 1/x
BBC Parliament - House of Commons, Education Questions
Coverage of questions to Bridget Phillipson on Monday 20 October.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 4:37 PM
And we're away. Bridget Phillipson is introducing the Post-16 Education and Skills paper. 1/x