Seán Thomas Kane
@sthosdkane.bsky.social
Historian of 16th century French natural history focusing on three-toed sloths (Bradypus sp.). Ph.D. Candidate at Binghamton University. Fellow of the Linnean Society. Gaelgeoir. All opinions are my own.
On Sunday at 11 am CT I will be presenting a fun project of mine concerning Thevet’s flightless seabird sighting on 26 Oct. 1555 which contributed to the taxonomic muddle between penguins (L) and the Great auk (R). Come see me at #HSS2025 in room Napoleon A2 (3rd floor). #histsci #earlymodern
November 12, 2025 at 1:18 PM
On Sunday at 11 am CT I will be presenting a fun project of mine concerning Thevet’s flightless seabird sighting on 26 Oct. 1555 which contributed to the taxonomic muddle between penguins (L) and the Great auk (R). Come see me at #HSS2025 in room Napoleon A2 (3rd floor). #histsci #earlymodern
I go to a fair few conferences. Along the chance to present my work to fellow experts the biggest draw remains getting that refresher that as isolated as I am in my daily life that I am not alone in this profession. Thanks, friends! #skystorians #earlymodern #histsci
November 2, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I go to a fair few conferences. Along the chance to present my work to fellow experts the biggest draw remains getting that refresher that as isolated as I am in my daily life that I am not alone in this profession. Thanks, friends! #skystorians #earlymodern #histsci
Took a break from #SCS2025 to go to the Rocky Butte State Park to catch a glimpse of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens in the distance. Coming from the prairies I do love seeing mountains.
October 31, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Took a break from #SCS2025 to go to the Rocky Butte State Park to catch a glimpse of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens in the distance. Coming from the prairies I do love seeing mountains.
I’ll be speaking tomorrow at the #SCS2025 conference in Portland about variations in the early printings of Thevet’s sloth’s face. Come see me at 15:30 Pacific in the Park Room as part of the Bodies, Nature, Knowledge discipline. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
October 29, 2025 at 8:33 PM
I’ll be speaking tomorrow at the #SCS2025 conference in Portland about variations in the early printings of Thevet’s sloth’s face. Come see me at 15:30 Pacific in the Park Room as part of the Bodies, Nature, Knowledge discipline. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
I've decided to end my writing my weekly "Wednesday Blog" after 238 weeks. It's been a good run, and I've accomplished what I set out to do. So, for this week, to conclude what I’ve been saying with a bit of politics, a bit of language, and a bit of history.
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
The Wednesday Blog
This week, to conclude what I’ve been saying.
wednesdayblog.org
October 15, 2025 at 1:27 PM
I've decided to end my writing my weekly "Wednesday Blog" after 238 weeks. It's been a good run, and I've accomplished what I set out to do. So, for this week, to conclude what I’ve been saying with a bit of politics, a bit of language, and a bit of history.
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
wednesdayblog.org/2025/10/15/t...
Does anyone have recommendations on sources concerning South Atlantic ocean currents and navigational routes in the 16th century? I see a lot of maps showing how Europeans got to Brazil, but not the return voyage. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
October 14, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Does anyone have recommendations on sources concerning South Atlantic ocean currents and navigational routes in the 16th century? I see a lot of maps showing how Europeans got to Brazil, but not the return voyage. #earlymodern #histsci #skystorians
I spent some time this afternoon at the Linda Hall Library reading Gessner’s entries for dolphins, porpoises, and orcas looking for connections to Thevet’s accounts of the animals. This research visit was a success. #histsci #skystorians #earlymodern
October 7, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I spent some time this afternoon at the Linda Hall Library reading Gessner’s entries for dolphins, porpoises, and orcas looking for connections to Thevet’s accounts of the animals. This research visit was a success. #histsci #skystorians #earlymodern
CFP: Contested Conceptions of Atlantic Animals.
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
September 29, 2025 at 12:29 PM
CFP: Contested Conceptions of Atlantic Animals.
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
I’m looking for interested scholars working on the histories of animals on Atlantic islands & in the Atlantic Ocean in the early modern period to join a panel at the ESHS/HSS conference next June in Edinburgh. #histsci #animalhistory #earlymodern
This week I wrote about Thevet’s claim that wine is necessary for human life and the role of alcohol in culture & ritual. #earlymodern #winehistory #frhistory wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/24/o...
On Drink
This week, bringing together my research and my life through wine.
wednesdayblog.org
September 24, 2025 at 7:06 PM
This week I wrote about Thevet’s claim that wine is necessary for human life and the role of alcohol in culture & ritual. #earlymodern #winehistory #frhistory wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/24/o...
This week, I wrote about breaking down bigger projects into smaller pieces in the twin contexts of #academic writing & #cooking. #phd wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/17/o...
On Little Things
This week, recent events have inspired me to think about the wide, wide world on a smaller scale.
wednesdayblog.org
September 17, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This week, I wrote about breaking down bigger projects into smaller pieces in the twin contexts of #academic writing & #cooking. #phd wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/17/o...
I don't think I'm going to be in Toronto anytime soon, but this exhibit on Flemish masterworks looks like it'll be a good one. #earlymodern #arthistory www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/exh...
Saints, Sinners, Lovers, and Fools
The Southern Netherlands — better known today as Flanders — was home to revolutionary artists such as Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony Van Dyck, Hans Memling, and others. These extraordinary painters found ...
www.rom.on.ca
September 11, 2025 at 7:08 PM
I don't think I'm going to be in Toronto anytime soon, but this exhibit on Flemish masterworks looks like it'll be a good one. #earlymodern #arthistory www.rom.on.ca/whats-on/exh...
The table of contents for this one looks great. #earlymodern #FrHistory
Not available until June 2026, but we have a cover! #earlymodern #skystorians
September 10, 2025 at 4:04 AM
The table of contents for this one looks great. #earlymodern #FrHistory
wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/03/t...
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
The Lotus-Eaters
This week, comparing the benefits of pleasure with the rewards of good work.
wednesdayblog.org
September 3, 2025 at 12:59 PM
wednesdayblog.org/2025/09/03/t...
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
This week on my blog I drew from the Renaissance humanist proclivity to have everything refer back to antiquity to make a point about finding a work-life balance in grad school. #earlymodern
Inné, chuaigh mé ar stáitse le mo chairde ag an Fhéile Éireannach in KC mar áit labhraíomar faoi ár ranganna Gaeilge ar an Chultúrlann Éireannach. Bhí sé an-deas comhrá agus tá mé ag súil ag feiceáil breis daoine inár ranganna san Fómhair seo. #Gaeilge #GaelMeiriceánach
September 1, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Inné, chuaigh mé ar stáitse le mo chairde ag an Fhéile Éireannach in KC mar áit labhraíomar faoi ár ranganna Gaeilge ar an Chultúrlann Éireannach. Bhí sé an-deas comhrá agus tá mé ag súil ag feiceáil breis daoine inár ranganna san Fómhair seo. #Gaeilge #GaelMeiriceánach
Reposted by Seán Thomas Kane
Applications are open for the Renaissance Society of America's short-term research fellowships, including many that give preference to contingent faculty and independent scholars -- apply by September 16th, applicants must be @rsaorg.bsky.social members: www.rsa.org/general/cust... #earlymodern
RSA Fellowships - Renaissance Society of America
New requirement: Beginning with the current cycle, applicants must have been an RSA member for at least 12 months immediately prior to application, in order to be eligible. This change, announced in mid-2024, consolidates the funding available for fellowships while recognizing that the number of applicants is only a portion of the membership. You can review your dues payments by signing in to the RSA website and going to Membership Info under the My Profile tab. It indicates the date through which your membership is current and you will see a list of all dues payments. If you are still unsure about your eligibility after checking your membership payments in your RSA profile, please contact rsa@rsa.org.
www.rsa.org
August 27, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Applications are open for the Renaissance Society of America's short-term research fellowships, including many that give preference to contingent faculty and independent scholars -- apply by September 16th, applicants must be @rsaorg.bsky.social members: www.rsa.org/general/cust... #earlymodern
The recording of my lightning talk with the @rsaorg.bsky.social in June is now available. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon listening to what my fellow grad students are working on in Renaissance studies. There's a lot of great research going on today. #earlymodern youtu.be/x8n9i4DFxXM?...
The RenAIssance: Graduate Student Lightning Talks (12 June 2025)
YouTube video by The Renaissance Society of America
youtu.be
August 25, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The recording of my lightning talk with the @rsaorg.bsky.social in June is now available. I really enjoyed spending the afternoon listening to what my fellow grad students are working on in Renaissance studies. There's a lot of great research going on today. #earlymodern youtu.be/x8n9i4DFxXM?...
The Francophone secondary literature that my work is in conversation with tends to be harder to find at the various libraries here in KC, so this news hits pretty hard. www.cbsnews.com/news/europea... #earlymodern #histsci
Postal services in India, Europe. U.K. to suspend shipment of packages to U.S. over import tariffs
Multiple postal services, including in India and around Europe, say they are suspending the shipment of many packages to the United States amid a lack of clarity over new import duties.
www.cbsnews.com
August 23, 2025 at 11:23 PM
The Francophone secondary literature that my work is in conversation with tends to be harder to find at the various libraries here in KC, so this news hits pretty hard. www.cbsnews.com/news/europea... #earlymodern #histsci
This week on my blog, I argue that we must have some degree of artifice to organize our thoughts and recognize the things we see in our world following a new book about Buffon & Linnaeus by @jsnr.bsky.social. #earlymodern #histci #hps #naturalhistory wednesdayblog.org/2025/08/13/o...
On Systems of Knowing
This week, I argue that we must have some degree of artifice to organize our thoughts and recognize the things we see in our world.
wednesdayblog.org
August 13, 2025 at 1:23 PM
This week on my blog, I argue that we must have some degree of artifice to organize our thoughts and recognize the things we see in our world following a new book about Buffon & Linnaeus by @jsnr.bsky.social. #earlymodern #histci #hps #naturalhistory wednesdayblog.org/2025/08/13/o...
My first peer-reviewed article is out! “A Sloth in the First French Colony in the Americas” is a good summary of my research on André Thevet’s observations of a 3 toed sloth which are one of the key singularities in his “Singularitez”. doi.org/10.1080/0082... #earlymodern #histsci #hps
A Sloth in the First French Colony in the Americas
This article seeks to understand how the French colony of Fort Coligny appeared to the inhabitants the Brazilian Atlantic Forest upon its construction in 1555 by following the story of a three-toed...
doi.org
August 12, 2025 at 7:31 PM
My first peer-reviewed article is out! “A Sloth in the First French Colony in the Americas” is a good summary of my research on André Thevet’s observations of a 3 toed sloth which are one of the key singularities in his “Singularitez”. doi.org/10.1080/0082... #earlymodern #histsci #hps
Really enjoyed thus essay by Martin Woessner. www.commonwealmagazine.org/all-things-s...
All Things Shining
What better way to learn about the world than to watch Terrence Malick's stunning "Voyage of Time" on an IMAX screen in Atlantic City?
www.commonwealmagazine.org
August 6, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Really enjoyed thus essay by Martin Woessner. www.commonwealmagazine.org/all-things-s...
This week, on my blog I address how we recognize knowledge in comparison to the various fields of inquiry through which we refine our understanding of things. #earlymodern #histsci #hps wednesdayblog.org/2025/07/30/o...
On Knowledge
This week, I want to address how we recognize knowledge in comparison to the various fields of inquiry through which we refine our understanding of things.
wednesdayblog.org
July 30, 2025 at 2:23 PM
This week, on my blog I address how we recognize knowledge in comparison to the various fields of inquiry through which we refine our understanding of things. #earlymodern #histsci #hps wednesdayblog.org/2025/07/30/o...
Congress has abdicated their responsibility to fund public broadcasting in this country, so it's up to us now to do our part. For those of you here in KC, here is a Linktree with links to all 3 local stations (KCUR, KCPT, & 90.9 the Bridge). Please help out all three of them. linktr.ee/KCPublicMedia
KC Public Media | Linktree
With Congress stripping the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of all its federal funds, we the people need to step up to support our local NPR & PBS stations.
linktr.ee
July 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Congress has abdicated their responsibility to fund public broadcasting in this country, so it's up to us now to do our part. For those of you here in KC, here is a Linktree with links to all 3 local stations (KCUR, KCPT, & 90.9 the Bridge). Please help out all three of them. linktr.ee/KCPublicMedia
There’s a lot in here that resonated with my experiences.
"We wanted to use collective making to open up a space to acknowledge the challenges of migration, but to simultaneously explore a range of other stories."
Erika Hanna (@erikahanna.bsky.social) on the process of creating a new processional art piece for the 2024 St Patrick’s Day parade in Bristol.
Erika Hanna (@erikahanna.bsky.social) on the process of creating a new processional art piece for the 2024 St Patrick’s Day parade in Bristol.
Parading Memories
Discover how parades are used to celebrate the Bristol Irish community through the creation of Mother Ireland.
www.historyworkshop.org.uk
July 12, 2025 at 2:53 PM
There’s a lot in here that resonated with my experiences.
Reposted by Seán Thomas Kane
CALL FOR SUPPORT: Secure the Future of BHL
Following the Smithsonian Institution’s decision to conclude its long-standing role as BHL’s host on 1 January 2026.
#HistSTM #HistSci #Biodiversity #Ecology #EnvHist #NatHist #EnvironmentalStudies
about.biodiversitylibrary.org/call-for-sup...
Following the Smithsonian Institution’s decision to conclude its long-standing role as BHL’s host on 1 January 2026.
#HistSTM #HistSci #Biodiversity #Ecology #EnvHist #NatHist #EnvironmentalStudies
about.biodiversitylibrary.org/call-for-sup...
July 2, 2025 at 10:55 PM
CALL FOR SUPPORT: Secure the Future of BHL
Following the Smithsonian Institution’s decision to conclude its long-standing role as BHL’s host on 1 January 2026.
#HistSTM #HistSci #Biodiversity #Ecology #EnvHist #NatHist #EnvironmentalStudies
about.biodiversitylibrary.org/call-for-sup...
Following the Smithsonian Institution’s decision to conclude its long-standing role as BHL’s host on 1 January 2026.
#HistSTM #HistSci #Biodiversity #Ecology #EnvHist #NatHist #EnvironmentalStudies
about.biodiversitylibrary.org/call-for-sup...
Got to spend a couple hours this morning at the Newberry Library reading through sections of Vol. 3 of Ramusio’s “Navigationi et Viaggi” that were sources for Thevet’s “Singularitez” beyond Brazil. Good information for my translation project & several papers I’m working on. #earlymodern
June 18, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Got to spend a couple hours this morning at the Newberry Library reading through sections of Vol. 3 of Ramusio’s “Navigationi et Viaggi” that were sources for Thevet’s “Singularitez” beyond Brazil. Good information for my translation project & several papers I’m working on. #earlymodern