Briony Neilson
@brionyneilson.bsky.social
Historian of 19th-century France—juvenile incarceration, prisons, settler/penal colonies (esp New Caledonia)
Book: "Dangers of Youth" www.mqup.ca/dangers-of-youth-products-9780228024330.php
Based in Sydney, Australia
Book: "Dangers of Youth" www.mqup.ca/dangers-of-youth-products-9780228024330.php
Based in Sydney, Australia
Pinned
And delighted now to share this new research article by Charlotte Legg and me that explores settler colonial identities, shared affinities, racial politics and transimperial forms of whiteness in New Caledonia and Australia in the early 20th century. Open access: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
This description from a 1966 Le Monde article covering President de Gaulle's visit to New Caledonia: "Everyone here agrees that General de Gaulle drew far fewer people [this time] than during his 1956 visit, and infinitely fewer than the Santa Claus paraded every year in the city streets". 🤣
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 AM
This description from a 1966 Le Monde article covering President de Gaulle's visit to New Caledonia: "Everyone here agrees that General de Gaulle drew far fewer people [this time] than during his 1956 visit, and infinitely fewer than the Santa Claus paraded every year in the city streets". 🤣
This tiny star (only a few centimetres long) made of folded paper – a rare example of paperfolding from 17th-century England, found in the late 1980s beneath the floorboards of a boarding school for girls in London's Hackney (photograph by George Eksts/National Trust Images)
December 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
This tiny star (only a few centimetres long) made of folded paper – a rare example of paperfolding from 17th-century England, found in the late 1980s beneath the floorboards of a boarding school for girls in London's Hackney (photograph by George Eksts/National Trust Images)
Terrible news on the grapevine today that after their brutal "spill and fill" exercise, Macquarie University has announced which academic staff members no longer have a position. Devastating for the people who've lost their jobs. Dreadful for those who've been spared (for now). Awful for everyone 💔
December 4, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Terrible news on the grapevine today that after their brutal "spill and fill" exercise, Macquarie University has announced which academic staff members no longer have a position. Devastating for the people who've lost their jobs. Dreadful for those who've been spared (for now). Awful for everyone 💔
An extravagant set of late 16th-century French pruning tools for an ostentatious gardener. Crafted in Moulins c.1575, the set consists of a pruner, three specialised knives, a saw, and secateurs. Made of steel, with gilding and handles in shimmering mother-of-pearl (The Met)
December 4, 2025 at 12:28 AM
An extravagant set of late 16th-century French pruning tools for an ostentatious gardener. Crafted in Moulins c.1575, the set consists of a pruner, three specialised knives, a saw, and secateurs. Made of steel, with gilding and handles in shimmering mother-of-pearl (The Met)
Reposted by Briony Neilson
A portable dining set for your late 17th- or 18th-century traveller.
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
December 3, 2025 at 6:58 AM
A portable dining set for your late 17th- or 18th-century traveller.
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
A portable dining set for your late 17th- or 18th-century traveller.
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
December 3, 2025 at 6:58 AM
A portable dining set for your late 17th- or 18th-century traveller.
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
Consists of a knife, fork, spoon, and – most importantly – a corkscrew, all the items come apart to fit neatly into the compact case. Made by artisan unknown in either France or Italy (The Met)
Reposted by Briony Neilson
Brass gong with wooden striker (State Library of Victoria)
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
December 2, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Brass gong with wooden striker (State Library of Victoria)
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
Brass gong with wooden striker (State Library of Victoria)
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
December 2, 2025 at 5:10 AM
Brass gong with wooden striker (State Library of Victoria)
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
Every day from the 1850s to the mid-1990s a librarian at Melbourne's State Library of Victoria would circle the reading room, striking this brass gong to mark closing time. In the 1990s the gong was replaced by a pre-recorded announcement.
Reposted by Briony Neilson
A church organ in the shape of an alarmingly massive hand inside the Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Alpe d'Huez, France.
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
December 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM
A church organ in the shape of an alarmingly massive hand inside the Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Alpe d'Huez, France.
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
Melbourne's State Library of Victoria – the third most popular library in the world! – is being threatened with cuts to staff and facilities. Add your name to the petition to save jobs and resources www.change.org/p/save-the-s...
Sign the Petition
Save the State Library of Victoria!
www.change.org
December 1, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Melbourne's State Library of Victoria – the third most popular library in the world! – is being threatened with cuts to staff and facilities. Add your name to the petition to save jobs and resources www.change.org/p/save-the-s...
A church organ in the shape of an alarmingly massive hand inside the Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Alpe d'Huez, France.
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
December 1, 2025 at 6:18 AM
A church organ in the shape of an alarmingly massive hand inside the Église Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Alpe d'Huez, France.
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
The organ – which, unsurprisingly, is the only one in the world to be shaped like a hand – was designed by Jean Guillou and crafted by Detlef Kleuker. Photo by Peter Atkinson
An episode of Grand Designs with a "coarse language" warning for viewers – the people building this house clearly went waaaaaay over budget and probably will never celebrate Christmas ever again anywhere, let alone in the house.
November 28, 2025 at 8:29 AM
An episode of Grand Designs with a "coarse language" warning for viewers – the people building this house clearly went waaaaaay over budget and probably will never celebrate Christmas ever again anywhere, let alone in the house.
Oh for a comforting, well-contained fire.
At this time of year, in this part of the world, talk of "fire" means something quite different – bushfire hotspots... Just look at them all 🫣
At this time of year, in this part of the world, talk of "fire" means something quite different – bushfire hotspots... Just look at them all 🫣
November 27, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Oh for a comforting, well-contained fire.
At this time of year, in this part of the world, talk of "fire" means something quite different – bushfire hotspots... Just look at them all 🫣
At this time of year, in this part of the world, talk of "fire" means something quite different – bushfire hotspots... Just look at them all 🫣
Sydney weather is certainly giving us all it's got today ☀️💨⛈️⚡
November 26, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Sydney weather is certainly giving us all it's got today ☀️💨⛈️⚡
Reposted by Briony Neilson
New York City helped my mother become the artist she is today. The next generation deserves a City Hall that lifts up tomorrow's artists as well.
November 26, 2025 at 1:49 AM
New York City helped my mother become the artist she is today. The next generation deserves a City Hall that lifts up tomorrow's artists as well.
If I’d been a student at a French school in the 1990s and heard this play at the end of every class, I’d have felt like I was in some low-budget TV series about a detective who investigates everyday, I gripping and yet disturbing mysteries in a small village in the mountains.
It seems this theme was broadcast at the end of each class in schools across the Paris region in the 1990s. So unresolved, so unsettling.
SONNERIE ÎLE-DE-FRANCE (VERSION GRAVE ET LONGUE) | SONNERIE ÉCOLE/COLLÈGE/LYCÉE/EREA/CFA
YouTube video by La Cloche Française
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
If I’d been a student at a French school in the 1990s and heard this play at the end of every class, I’d have felt like I was in some low-budget TV series about a detective who investigates everyday, I gripping and yet disturbing mysteries in a small village in the mountains.
Reposted by Briony Neilson
I enjoyed speaking about my book Erasing Palestine, the Gaza
genocide and famine and forced starvation for the Savage Minds podcast
open.substack.com/pub/savagemi...
genocide and famine and forced starvation for the Savage Minds podcast
open.substack.com/pub/savagemi...
Rebecca Ruth Gould
S5E23
open.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I enjoyed speaking about my book Erasing Palestine, the Gaza
genocide and famine and forced starvation for the Savage Minds podcast
open.substack.com/pub/savagemi...
genocide and famine and forced starvation for the Savage Minds podcast
open.substack.com/pub/savagemi...
It seems this theme was broadcast at the end of each class in schools across the Paris region in the 1990s. So unresolved, so unsettling.
SONNERIE ÎLE-DE-FRANCE (VERSION GRAVE ET LONGUE) | SONNERIE ÉCOLE/COLLÈGE/LYCÉE/EREA/CFA
YouTube video by La Cloche Française
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:03 AM
It seems this theme was broadcast at the end of each class in schools across the Paris region in the 1990s. So unresolved, so unsettling.
Reposted by Briony Neilson
I’m delighted to share that my first journal article has been published in the special issue 'Labour Archives and Methodologies' of Labour History.
Honoured to have this piece included alongside such distinguished work: doi.org/10.3828/labo...
Honoured to have this piece included alongside such distinguished work: doi.org/10.3828/labo...
November 24, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I’m delighted to share that my first journal article has been published in the special issue 'Labour Archives and Methodologies' of Labour History.
Honoured to have this piece included alongside such distinguished work: doi.org/10.3828/labo...
Honoured to have this piece included alongside such distinguished work: doi.org/10.3828/labo...
Reposted by Briony Neilson
Want to learn about medieval coroners, tithings & the frankpledge system, crime & punishment, peacekeeping, the hue & cry, amercements, etc? Then check out my article “The limits of strong government: attempts to control criminality in thirteenth-century England”.
academic.oup.com/histres/arti...
academic.oup.com/histres/arti...
The limits of strong government: attempts to control criminality in thirteenth-century England*
Abstract. This article examines how far centrally-directed structures of peacekeeping influenced communal reactions to criminality in thirteenth-century En
academic.oup.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Want to learn about medieval coroners, tithings & the frankpledge system, crime & punishment, peacekeeping, the hue & cry, amercements, etc? Then check out my article “The limits of strong government: attempts to control criminality in thirteenth-century England”.
academic.oup.com/histres/arti...
academic.oup.com/histres/arti...
A family member spotted and plucked this honest-to-goodness four-leaf clover today. Definitely means good luck for everyone.
November 21, 2025 at 1:16 AM
A family member spotted and plucked this honest-to-goodness four-leaf clover today. Definitely means good luck for everyone.
Reposted by Briony Neilson
And in this wonderful open-access article in our special issue, Kate Stevens looks at performative transimperial co-operation between the British and French in the New Hebrides Condominium (Vanuatu), and at how theatrical forms of critique helped obscure the violent realities of imperial domination.
Violent Laughter: Commemorating Anglo-French Co-operation and Forgetting Violence through Gilbert and Sullivan in Colonial Vanuatu
Thomson Reid Cowell, assistant British resident commissioner in the New Hebrides (Vanuatu), wrote a musical comedy – ‘with humblest apologies to Sir William Gilbert and Sir Arthur Sullivan’ – depic...
www.tandfonline.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:04 AM
And in this wonderful open-access article in our special issue, Kate Stevens looks at performative transimperial co-operation between the British and French in the New Hebrides Condominium (Vanuatu), and at how theatrical forms of critique helped obscure the violent realities of imperial domination.
Christopher Pyne, the same person who sought (unsuccessfully) to deregulate university fees in Australia only a decade ago. What acts of social, cultural, and intellectual vandalism does he now have in mind for Australia's National Library? Dark days ahead.
What a brain-dead dumb, completely shite appointment. @tonyburkemp.bsky.social
November 20, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Christopher Pyne, the same person who sought (unsuccessfully) to deregulate university fees in Australia only a decade ago. What acts of social, cultural, and intellectual vandalism does he now have in mind for Australia's National Library? Dark days ahead.
A blue bird perched on the branch of a weeping cherry tree – woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink and colour on paper, 19th century (The Met)
November 20, 2025 at 4:11 AM
A blue bird perched on the branch of a weeping cherry tree – woodblock print by Utagawa Hiroshige, ink and colour on paper, 19th century (The Met)
Reposted by Briony Neilson
Next up in our special issue is W. Matthew Calvert's excellent article on phosphate extraction on Walpole Island by French and British companies and entanglements with European settler colonies in the Pacific. (note: this article unfortunately isn't open access) www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
Adrift in the Sea of Phosphates: Walpole Island in the Early 20th Century
During the early 20th century, the Pacific phosphate rush swept over Walpole Island, bringing it into closer orbit with New Caledonia, New Zealand, Australia, and broader circuits of contract labou...
www.tandfonline.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Next up in our special issue is W. Matthew Calvert's excellent article on phosphate extraction on Walpole Island by French and British companies and entanglements with European settler colonies in the Pacific. (note: this article unfortunately isn't open access) www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....