Liz White
@bibliobotanist.substack.com
📚 Senior Library Assistant
🌿 Lover of plants and garden history
📍 Whipple Library, Cambridge
🌿 Lover of plants and garden history
📍 Whipple Library, Cambridge
www.varsity.co.uk/comment/30637
A beautifully written article. Devastating that it needs to be written at all.
A beautifully written article. Devastating that it needs to be written at all.
Anti-trans societies won’t make women safer
Olive Watt reacts to the creation of the Cambridge University Society of Women, and reflects on the queer experience
www.varsity.co.uk
November 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
www.varsity.co.uk/comment/30637
A beautifully written article. Devastating that it needs to be written at all.
A beautifully written article. Devastating that it needs to be written at all.
Reposted by Liz White
Spilled my coffee travel mug in my backpack this morning - can you imagine the horror - so let’s just say some time with these wonderful #earlymodern miniature books was very much needed!
1) Gregorian Calendar (1585)
#rarebooks #bookhistory 💙📚📜
/1
1) Gregorian Calendar (1585)
#rarebooks #bookhistory 💙📚📜
/1
October 31, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Spilled my coffee travel mug in my backpack this morning - can you imagine the horror - so let’s just say some time with these wonderful #earlymodern miniature books was very much needed!
1) Gregorian Calendar (1585)
#rarebooks #bookhistory 💙📚📜
/1
1) Gregorian Calendar (1585)
#rarebooks #bookhistory 💙📚📜
/1
Reposted by Liz White
ALSF 2025 took place on September 18th at Newnham College. 📚
It was a fantastic day filled with rich talks on topics as varied as Holocaust Memorialisation to Yoga provision in libraries. We're immensely grateful to all our speakers, network reps, and attendees who helped make the day so special. ❤️
It was a fantastic day filled with rich talks on topics as varied as Holocaust Memorialisation to Yoga provision in libraries. We're immensely grateful to all our speakers, network reps, and attendees who helped make the day so special. ❤️
October 6, 2025 at 10:48 AM
ALSF 2025 took place on September 18th at Newnham College. 📚
It was a fantastic day filled with rich talks on topics as varied as Holocaust Memorialisation to Yoga provision in libraries. We're immensely grateful to all our speakers, network reps, and attendees who helped make the day so special. ❤️
It was a fantastic day filled with rich talks on topics as varied as Holocaust Memorialisation to Yoga provision in libraries. We're immensely grateful to all our speakers, network reps, and attendees who helped make the day so special. ❤️
Reposted by Liz White
In honour of #GingerCatAppreciationDay (which we're tempted to re-name #OdysseusAppreciationDay), here's our favourite marmalade-hued boy on a visit to the UL last week.
September 1, 2025 at 2:41 PM
In honour of #GingerCatAppreciationDay (which we're tempted to re-name #OdysseusAppreciationDay), here's our favourite marmalade-hued boy on a visit to the UL last week.
For International Cat Day, here’s my favourite caricature from ‘Familiar illustrations of the language of mathematics or a new picture-alphabet for well-behaved undergraduates’ (1850) by John Lewis Roget.
🐱 It’s μ (“mu”).
(This is Trinity’s copy: 307.a.85.17)
🐱 It’s μ (“mu”).
(This is Trinity’s copy: 307.a.85.17)
August 8, 2025 at 4:43 PM
For International Cat Day, here’s my favourite caricature from ‘Familiar illustrations of the language of mathematics or a new picture-alphabet for well-behaved undergraduates’ (1850) by John Lewis Roget.
🐱 It’s μ (“mu”).
(This is Trinity’s copy: 307.a.85.17)
🐱 It’s μ (“mu”).
(This is Trinity’s copy: 307.a.85.17)
Reposted by Liz White
For International #Cat Day, the device of the Sessa dynasty of Venetian printers. On the title page of a comedy called ‘La Prigione’ (The Prison) by Borso Argenti (Venice, 1587). Part of the library of the Marquesses of Bute, now @theulspeccoll.bsky.social (Bute.131). #internationalcatday
August 8, 2025 at 1:58 PM
For International #Cat Day, the device of the Sessa dynasty of Venetian printers. On the title page of a comedy called ‘La Prigione’ (The Prison) by Borso Argenti (Venice, 1587). Part of the library of the Marquesses of Bute, now @theulspeccoll.bsky.social (Bute.131). #internationalcatday
Reposted by Liz White
A bad day at the printing press, London 1660.
lib-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Record/fbfb3...
lib-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Record/fbfb3...
July 30, 2025 at 9:06 AM
A bad day at the printing press, London 1660.
lib-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Record/fbfb3...
lib-cat.trin.cam.ac.uk/Record/fbfb3...
🪐 Last Friday was volvelletastic! Looking forward to getting these in the display cases.
📖 These are all from books in the Whipple Library collection.
📖 These are all from books in the Whipple Library collection.
July 28, 2025 at 8:16 AM
🪐 Last Friday was volvelletastic! Looking forward to getting these in the display cases.
📖 These are all from books in the Whipple Library collection.
📖 These are all from books in the Whipple Library collection.
I was there. It was superb! 🌿📚
Last week, a panel of gardening historians and medieval medicine experts gathered at Milton Road Library to dig up stories of illness, experimentation and the quest for health.
Here's the recording: https://loom.ly/Lgl3cjQ
Part of the @britishlibrary.bsky.social Living Knowledge Network
Here's the recording: https://loom.ly/Lgl3cjQ
Part of the @britishlibrary.bsky.social Living Knowledge Network
Unearthing Curious Cures Live from Milton Road Library, Cambridgeshire
living-knowledge-network.co.uk
July 24, 2025 at 4:23 PM
I was there. It was superb! 🌿📚
Reposted by Liz White
A. E. Housman bitching about the new @theul.bsky.social in 1934.
July 14, 2025 at 7:41 AM
A. E. Housman bitching about the new @theul.bsky.social in 1934.
Well… hello there.
A “cat-a-mountain” from Claude Perrault’s Memoirs for a Natural History of Animals (1688)
🔍 (Whipple Library: STORE 76:3)
A “cat-a-mountain” from Claude Perrault’s Memoirs for a Natural History of Animals (1688)
🔍 (Whipple Library: STORE 76:3)
July 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Well… hello there.
A “cat-a-mountain” from Claude Perrault’s Memoirs for a Natural History of Animals (1688)
🔍 (Whipple Library: STORE 76:3)
A “cat-a-mountain” from Claude Perrault’s Memoirs for a Natural History of Animals (1688)
🔍 (Whipple Library: STORE 76:3)
Reposted by Liz White
Libraries are a pretty cool place to be right now. (We have air con).
July 1, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Libraries are a pretty cool place to be right now. (We have air con).
Reposted by Liz White
Interesting manicules in the margins
BnF Français 12584; Roman de Renart; 14th century; France; f.61r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
BnF Français 12584; Roman de Renart; 14th century; France; f.61r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
June 13, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Interesting manicules in the margins
BnF Français 12584; Roman de Renart; 14th century; France; f.61r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
BnF Français 12584; Roman de Renart; 14th century; France; f.61r @gallicabnf.bsky.social
Just when I thought I’d found all the pressed flowers in the library, this gem shows up. 🌸
It’s a herbarium from 1833! 🌼
(Crewe MS 69) 🌿
It’s a herbarium from 1833! 🌼
(Crewe MS 69) 🌿
June 13, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Just when I thought I’d found all the pressed flowers in the library, this gem shows up. 🌸
It’s a herbarium from 1833! 🌼
(Crewe MS 69) 🌿
It’s a herbarium from 1833! 🌼
(Crewe MS 69) 🌿
Reposted by Liz White
Welcome to the archives.
June 10, 2025 at 8:02 AM
Welcome to the archives.
Reposted by Liz White
Trump's tariff and immigration policies
BL Stowe 955; 16th century; France; f.15r
BL Stowe 955; 16th century; France; f.15r
June 8, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Trump's tariff and immigration policies
BL Stowe 955; 16th century; France; f.15r
BL Stowe 955; 16th century; France; f.15r
Reposted by Liz White
This is what happens when you add a fancy fore edge title, then 150 years later someone realises the book was misbound and moves the last 100 pages to the front. Should look like the first pic, actually looks like the second 🤦
![A fore edge title reading IULI[us] / DEI GRA [tia] / EP [iscopu]S WIR /CEB AC / FRANCI / ORIENT / DUX . CUL Sel.3.82](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:z2q7b4eto7rmswpprns2f34q/bafkreibj477ozz2xphckxway6tr4gndttku2b3v47augxdxc6ojauaem2e@jpeg)
![A fore edge title reading ULI[us] D I / RA[tia] G EP[iscopu]S / VIRC ET V / RAN OR F/ DUX. CUL F*. 8.31(c)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:z2q7b4eto7rmswpprns2f34q/bafkreicjalm4xikfipd3bs6pm4ik5voxzuwgouy57txb6awnrjkjjd5eyi@jpeg)
June 6, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This is what happens when you add a fancy fore edge title, then 150 years later someone realises the book was misbound and moves the last 100 pages to the front. Should look like the first pic, actually looks like the second 🤦
Reposted by Liz White
Woodcut of Queen Elizabeth I, atop the world, from John Case’s Sphæra Civitatis (Oxford, 1588). @theulspeccoll.bsky.social Syn.7.58.44.
May 31, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Woodcut of Queen Elizabeth I, atop the world, from John Case’s Sphæra Civitatis (Oxford, 1588). @theulspeccoll.bsky.social Syn.7.58.44.
My favourite pages from ‘Tradescant’s Orchard’ (C17th), a manuscript I discovered for the first time just today! 🍎
Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1461: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/8350...
Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1461: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/8350...
May 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
My favourite pages from ‘Tradescant’s Orchard’ (C17th), a manuscript I discovered for the first time just today! 🍎
Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1461: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/8350...
Bodleian Library MS. Ashmole 1461: digital.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/objects/8350...
Reposted by Liz White
"Love scene" tapestry, Regensburg, Germany (14th century)
Image: Institute of Material Culture of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period
Image: Institute of Material Culture of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period
March 27, 2025 at 5:06 PM
"Love scene" tapestry, Regensburg, Germany (14th century)
Image: Institute of Material Culture of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period
Image: Institute of Material Culture of the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period
Reposted by Liz White
Bet you don’t know what this is. Looks a bit like a tiny manhole cover, doesn’t it? Or perhaps a piece of steampunk jewellery?
May 24, 2025 at 7:01 AM
Bet you don’t know what this is. Looks a bit like a tiny manhole cover, doesn’t it? Or perhaps a piece of steampunk jewellery?
One of my main reasons for visiting Salzburg was the chance to see the trick fountains at Hellbrunn! ⛲️
Used to entertain (and sometimes annoy) guests with their hidden jets of water, these fountains represent one of the more brilliant and playful aspects of renaissance/mannerist gardens.
Used to entertain (and sometimes annoy) guests with their hidden jets of water, these fountains represent one of the more brilliant and playful aspects of renaissance/mannerist gardens.
May 13, 2025 at 8:19 PM
One of my main reasons for visiting Salzburg was the chance to see the trick fountains at Hellbrunn! ⛲️
Used to entertain (and sometimes annoy) guests with their hidden jets of water, these fountains represent one of the more brilliant and playful aspects of renaissance/mannerist gardens.
Used to entertain (and sometimes annoy) guests with their hidden jets of water, these fountains represent one of the more brilliant and playful aspects of renaissance/mannerist gardens.
Thoroughly enjoyed these paintings of early modern subjects of nature!
Oh, and the stuffed unicorn.
📍 Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg.
Oh, and the stuffed unicorn.
📍 Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg.
May 13, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed these paintings of early modern subjects of nature!
Oh, and the stuffed unicorn.
📍 Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg.
Oh, and the stuffed unicorn.
📍 Schloss Hellbrunn, Salzburg.
Actually speechless
Dr. Carla Hayden has served as Librarian of Congress with honor and distinction, bringing our prized institution to new heights.
Trump’s outrageous, politically-motivated move to fire her is despicable. The Library of Congress belongs to the American people — NOT to Trump.
Trump’s outrageous, politically-motivated move to fire her is despicable. The Library of Congress belongs to the American people — NOT to Trump.
Trump fires Librarian of Congress and Baltimorean Carla Hayden
President Donald Trump fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden on Thursday, according to statements from House Democrats.
www.baltimoresun.com
May 9, 2025 at 6:48 AM
Actually speechless
How did I not know this was in the works??? Never been more excited for an exhibition in my life. 🤩🤩🤩
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening is now open! 🌱
Discover botanical treasures, medieval manuscripts, contemporary artworks and the stories of the remarkable people and plants that shape our gardens today.
Book now: bit.ly/BLUnearthed
Members go free
Discover botanical treasures, medieval manuscripts, contemporary artworks and the stories of the remarkable people and plants that shape our gardens today.
Book now: bit.ly/BLUnearthed
Members go free
May 2, 2025 at 1:49 PM
How did I not know this was in the works??? Never been more excited for an exhibition in my life. 🤩🤩🤩