Bruce Buchan
@brucealexb.bsky.social
Scholar. Historian of ideas. Mostly Enlightenment & race, quite a bit on empire & colonisation, plus some corruption and a little piracy for good measure.
A second book launch, this time at Uppsala University. Thanks to all who came and listened to @lindaaburnett.bsky.social and I outline our next book - on humanity and the history of scientific instructions. It’s a tale of skull collections and the colonial history of ideas.
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
A second book launch, this time at Uppsala University. Thanks to all who came and listened to @lindaaburnett.bsky.social and I outline our next book - on humanity and the history of scientific instructions. It’s a tale of skull collections and the colonial history of ideas.
The old anatomy theatre (dating from 1662-63), in the Gustavianum, Uppsala. An amazing demonstration of visibility in architecture, and of the prestige and power that anatomical science then commanded.
#HistoryOfMedicine
#HistoryOfAnatomy
#HistoryOfArchitecture
#HistoryOfMedicine
#HistoryOfAnatomy
#HistoryOfArchitecture
November 26, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The old anatomy theatre (dating from 1662-63), in the Gustavianum, Uppsala. An amazing demonstration of visibility in architecture, and of the prestige and power that anatomical science then commanded.
#HistoryOfMedicine
#HistoryOfAnatomy
#HistoryOfArchitecture
#HistoryOfMedicine
#HistoryOfAnatomy
#HistoryOfArchitecture
Late autumnal frost, Uppsala.
November 18, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Late autumnal frost, Uppsala.
Europe’s #Enlightenment invented race as it also invited its critique.
In 1780, James Dunbar warned that by dividing humanity into races: "...the oppression or extermination of a meaner race, will no longer be so shocking to humanity.”
- Essays on the History of Mankind, 1780, page. 150.
In 1780, James Dunbar warned that by dividing humanity into races: "...the oppression or extermination of a meaner race, will no longer be so shocking to humanity.”
- Essays on the History of Mankind, 1780, page. 150.
November 13, 2025 at 9:42 AM
Europe’s #Enlightenment invented race as it also invited its critique.
In 1780, James Dunbar warned that by dividing humanity into races: "...the oppression or extermination of a meaner race, will no longer be so shocking to humanity.”
- Essays on the History of Mankind, 1780, page. 150.
In 1780, James Dunbar warned that by dividing humanity into races: "...the oppression or extermination of a meaner race, will no longer be so shocking to humanity.”
- Essays on the History of Mankind, 1780, page. 150.
It was his idiotic policy, introduced without congressional approval, so if anything it should make him personally liable to pay back those sums, with all the coin he has scammed through his very own crypto-corruption.
November 6, 2025 at 7:13 PM
It was his idiotic policy, introduced without congressional approval, so if anything it should make him personally liable to pay back those sums, with all the coin he has scammed through his very own crypto-corruption.
Book launched!
@lindaaburnett.bsky.social @kathryn-seymour.bsky.social
#C18th #race #colonization #ScottishEnlightenment
@lindaaburnett.bsky.social @kathryn-seymour.bsky.social
#C18th #race #colonization #ScottishEnlightenment
October 29, 2025 at 11:51 PM
The Firth of Forth on a sunny autumn morning. Quite a rarity in Scotland!
October 25, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The Firth of Forth on a sunny autumn morning. Quite a rarity in Scotland!
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
October 25, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
It will do nothing to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, but there was a time not so long ago when this recognition seemed impossible in my country.
September 21, 2025 at 8:55 PM
It will do nothing to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinian people, but there was a time not so long ago when this recognition seemed impossible in my country.
An observation for our times.
Michel de Montaigne, "Of Cannibals", 1580, translated by John Florio, 1603.
Michel de Montaigne, "Of Cannibals", 1580, translated by John Florio, 1603.
September 17, 2025 at 6:35 AM
An observation for our times.
Michel de Montaigne, "Of Cannibals", 1580, translated by John Florio, 1603.
Michel de Montaigne, "Of Cannibals", 1580, translated by John Florio, 1603.
As its economy ails from self-sabotage, and the empire self-immolates; as the wellness maniacs usher in a golden age of diseases, and as spreading corruption vitiates the the body politic beneath a golden shower of crypto scams, how fitting that its president both embodies and emblazons the rot.
September 4, 2025 at 5:40 AM
As its economy ails from self-sabotage, and the empire self-immolates; as the wellness maniacs usher in a golden age of diseases, and as spreading corruption vitiates the the body politic beneath a golden shower of crypto scams, how fitting that its president both embodies and emblazons the rot.
The commodification of human bodies - their beauty, their labour, and their bones - goes had in hand with racism and slavery. Enlightenment Europeans turned the collection of human remains into a global trade. We are still trapped in their shadow. www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
August 23, 2025 at 9:40 PM
The commodification of human bodies - their beauty, their labour, and their bones - goes had in hand with racism and slavery. Enlightenment Europeans turned the collection of human remains into a global trade. We are still trapped in their shadow. www.theguardian.com/science/2025...
They have arrived!
@lindaaburnett.bsky.social
@yalebooks.bsky.social
@18thcenturycam.bsky.social
@long18thsem.bsky.social
#Enlightenment
#18thCentury
#HistoryOfRace
#ColonialHistory
#Colonialism
@lindaaburnett.bsky.social
@yalebooks.bsky.social
@18thcenturycam.bsky.social
@long18thsem.bsky.social
#Enlightenment
#18thCentury
#HistoryOfRace
#ColonialHistory
#Colonialism
August 22, 2025 at 4:17 AM
America winning again, I see.
August 15, 2025 at 11:53 PM
America winning again, I see.
It took shape over many years, written in Edinburgh, Uppsala, Brisbane, Paris, Copenhagen, and Adelaide. Now, at last, @lindaaburnett.bsky.social and my book is finally here! #18thCentury #Enlightenment #Race #Colonisation
August 8, 2025 at 6:51 AM
It took shape over many years, written in Edinburgh, Uppsala, Brisbane, Paris, Copenhagen, and Adelaide. Now, at last, @lindaaburnett.bsky.social and my book is finally here! #18thCentury #Enlightenment #Race #Colonisation
Edinburgh University has just released a report on its very long history of intellectual support for #racism. The report cites my own research with @lindaaburnett.bsky.social, among many others. It highlights the connection between racism and #Enlightenment...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
July 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Edinburgh University has just released a report on its very long history of intellectual support for #racism. The report cites my own research with @lindaaburnett.bsky.social, among many others. It highlights the connection between racism and #Enlightenment...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
www.theguardian.com/education/20...
Australia’s PM @albomp.bsky.social calling for immediate #ceasefire in #Gaza, and need for a ‘2 state solution’, is welcome but not enough. Australia must insist on ending the genocidal attacks on the Palestinian population and removal of their rights by Israel, and on punishing perpetrators.
July 25, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Australia’s PM @albomp.bsky.social calling for immediate #ceasefire in #Gaza, and need for a ‘2 state solution’, is welcome but not enough. Australia must insist on ending the genocidal attacks on the Palestinian population and removal of their rights by Israel, and on punishing perpetrators.
I’ve worked in higher education in Australia and Europe since the 1990s, and on reflection I would say that every technological innovation, and each pedagogical initiative over those years has left the bulk of our students less prepared, less able, and less willing to question their world.
July 23, 2025 at 11:30 PM
I’ve worked in higher education in Australia and Europe since the 1990s, and on reflection I would say that every technological innovation, and each pedagogical initiative over those years has left the bulk of our students less prepared, less able, and less willing to question their world.
A shout out to my colleague @amywayness.bsky.social who won the Allan Martin Award for early-career Australian historians. Amy's project examines the complex histories of Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland, along with Bidjara Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders. experts.griffith.edu.au/40486-amy-way
July 15, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A shout out to my colleague @amywayness.bsky.social who won the Allan Martin Award for early-career Australian historians. Amy's project examines the complex histories of Carnarvon Gorge in Queensland, along with Bidjara Elders and Traditional Knowledge Holders. experts.griffith.edu.au/40486-amy-way
How many more men, women, and children must be “shot in the head and torso” before we and our government act?
July 13, 2025 at 7:07 AM
How many more men, women, and children must be “shot in the head and torso” before we and our government act?
Suffering does not ennoble the human spirit. Affliction does not make us any more or less human. But history teaches again, and again, and again, that our humanity only subsists in recognising ourselves in the most vulnerable among us, never in the impunity of force.
July 11, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Suffering does not ennoble the human spirit. Affliction does not make us any more or less human. But history teaches again, and again, and again, that our humanity only subsists in recognising ourselves in the most vulnerable among us, never in the impunity of force.