First, horror. Ten pages of Eleanor Anne Porden’s 1822 epic Coeur de Lion are missing from the British Library copy.
Then, relief. The V&A’s National Art Library also has a copy.
Finally, awe. The gift of discovery of this beautiful library on a perfect London afternoon

This was so much more satisfying than I thought it would be.

This is my last week at Monash University as Head of the School of Arts and Social Sciences. SASS (aptly named) mixes scholarship and social justice, and does that well. It has been a privilege to lead it and to spend this week handing it over to an able successor in Duncan McDuie-Ra. I am grateful.

Mark Twain with a kitten
Can we start a thread just for writers with pets on their persons?