Edward Shawcross
@edwardshawcross.bsky.social
Historian. My book, The Last Emperor of Mexico, is out in the US with Basic Books and in the UK with Faber & Faber.
https://edwardshawcross.com/
https://edwardshawcross.com/
2 December must be like Christmas, Easter and birthday all rolled into one for Bonapartists - absolutely massive day. Napoleon's coronation as emperor, then Austerlitz. Later, Napoleon III's coup d'état in 1851 and proclamation of the Second Empire the next year.
December 2, 2025 at 12:46 PM
2 December must be like Christmas, Easter and birthday all rolled into one for Bonapartists - absolutely massive day. Napoleon's coronation as emperor, then Austerlitz. Later, Napoleon III's coup d'état in 1851 and proclamation of the Second Empire the next year.
'The Real American Revolution' - My thoughts on Paul Gillingham's superb Mexico: A History in The Literary Reviewhttps://literaryreview.co.uk/the-real-american-revolution
December 2, 2025 at 10:50 AM
'The Real American Revolution' - My thoughts on Paul Gillingham's superb Mexico: A History in The Literary Reviewhttps://literaryreview.co.uk/the-real-american-revolution
There's an argument to say that the entire French Second Empire was an elaborate game of Where's Wally so it's nice to see all the beautiful people dancing the night away in 1870 to a band called the Third Republic.
December 1, 2025 at 10:14 AM
There's an argument to say that the entire French Second Empire was an elaborate game of Where's Wally so it's nice to see all the beautiful people dancing the night away in 1870 to a band called the Third Republic.
The last two in Edmond Guillaume's geniuses of death series lamenting the Franco-Prussian War: Kaiser Wilhelm I, more of a non-executive director of death, and Pope Pius IX, a slightly tangential inclusion, but I'm sure he's flattered to be amongst such expert practitioners.
November 28, 2025 at 10:14 AM
The last two in Edmond Guillaume's geniuses of death series lamenting the Franco-Prussian War: Kaiser Wilhelm I, more of a non-executive director of death, and Pope Pius IX, a slightly tangential inclusion, but I'm sure he's flattered to be amongst such expert practitioners.
More from the ever-cheerful geniuses of death series, this time a true genius of death: Otto von Bismarck, who engineered the Franco-Prussian War.
November 25, 2025 at 9:37 AM
More from the ever-cheerful geniuses of death series, this time a true genius of death: Otto von Bismarck, who engineered the Franco-Prussian War.
Napoleon III as depicted in Edmond Guillaume's ‘geniuses of death' series caricaturing those responsible for the Franco-Prussian war - note the emperor's ubiquitous cigarette.
November 24, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Napoleon III as depicted in Edmond Guillaume's ‘geniuses of death' series caricaturing those responsible for the Franco-Prussian war - note the emperor's ubiquitous cigarette.
A confident uncle Napoleon on the past, present and future here
November 21, 2025 at 11:06 AM
A confident uncle Napoleon on the past, present and future here
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of The Death of Trotsky by Josh Ireland. It's an incredible story and the book is an absolute cracker, highly recommended. You can (and should) pre-order a copy now: www.waterstones.com/book/the-dea...
The Death of Trotsky by Josh Ireland | Waterstones
Buy The Death of Trotsky by Josh Ireland from Waterstones today! Click and Collect from your local Waterstones or get FREE UK delivery on orders over £25.
www.waterstones.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:31 AM
I was lucky enough to get an advanced copy of The Death of Trotsky by Josh Ireland. It's an incredible story and the book is an absolute cracker, highly recommended. You can (and should) pre-order a copy now: www.waterstones.com/book/the-dea...
The Empress Eugenie's tiara was stolen from the Louvre? Surely a case for Napoleon III, policeman. He enrolled as a special constable while exiled in London before a Chartist demonstration in April 1848.
October 22, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The Empress Eugenie's tiara was stolen from the Louvre? Surely a case for Napoleon III, policeman. He enrolled as a special constable while exiled in London before a Chartist demonstration in April 1848.
Not known for his decisive military leadership, you don't get much more brilliant pointing than this: Napoleon III showing exactly what needs to be taken at the battle of Solferino against the Austrians in 1859. My recreation of this moment is quite frankly uncanny.
October 3, 2025 at 9:35 AM
Not known for his decisive military leadership, you don't get much more brilliant pointing than this: Napoleon III showing exactly what needs to be taken at the battle of Solferino against the Austrians in 1859. My recreation of this moment is quite frankly uncanny.
“I felt – I do not know how to express it – safe with him.” Queen Victoria enjoys an unlikely holiday romance with none other than Napoleon III at the Paris Exposition universelle in 1855.
August 12, 2025 at 9:28 AM
“I felt – I do not know how to express it – safe with him.” Queen Victoria enjoys an unlikely holiday romance with none other than Napoleon III at the Paris Exposition universelle in 1855.
In 1812, Jerome Bonaparte abandoned Napoléon's invasion of Russia. In 1854, his son, Plon-Plon, was much vilified for fleeing Crimea. "Voilà, the French,” Jerome said defending his son, “already throwing stones at this poor child who has not seen his mistress in months”.
August 1, 2025 at 8:53 AM
In 1812, Jerome Bonaparte abandoned Napoléon's invasion of Russia. In 1854, his son, Plon-Plon, was much vilified for fleeing Crimea. "Voilà, the French,” Jerome said defending his son, “already throwing stones at this poor child who has not seen his mistress in months”.
On 20 April 1855, Napoleon III was on a state visit to Britain (it was also his birthday). Queen Victoria and the French emperor visited Crystal Palace, where this picture was taken. Victoria was amused, recording that crowds cried "Vive le Hempereur", in cockney English!”
July 8, 2025 at 12:34 PM
On 20 April 1855, Napoleon III was on a state visit to Britain (it was also his birthday). Queen Victoria and the French emperor visited Crystal Palace, where this picture was taken. Victoria was amused, recording that crowds cried "Vive le Hempereur", in cockney English!”
"Really, to think of a Gd Daughter of George IIIrd, dancing with the nephew of our great enemy, the Empr Napoleon now my most firm Ally, in the Waterloo Gallery, — is incredible!" Queen Victoria records her thoughts during Napoléon III's 1855 state visit. I wonder if Charles will dance with Macron?
July 8, 2025 at 11:21 AM
"Really, to think of a Gd Daughter of George IIIrd, dancing with the nephew of our great enemy, the Empr Napoleon now my most firm Ally, in the Waterloo Gallery, — is incredible!" Queen Victoria records her thoughts during Napoléon III's 1855 state visit. I wonder if Charles will dance with Macron?
In preparation for visiting Waterloo (battlefield, not station), I've finished Michael Broers superb biography of Napoleon, thrilling account of the battle. Not sure whether it's an age thing, but I find myself wondering for the first time, who was Napoleon's best marshal?
June 27, 2025 at 10:30 AM
In preparation for visiting Waterloo (battlefield, not station), I've finished Michael Broers superb biography of Napoleon, thrilling account of the battle. Not sure whether it's an age thing, but I find myself wondering for the first time, who was Napoleon's best marshal?
On 19 June 1867 Ferdinand Maximilian, emperor of Mexico to his supporters, was executed by firing squad. If you want to learn more about this astonishing tale and the story behind the Manet painting, come to the National Gallery tomorrow, 20 June: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks...
Friday Lates: Edward Shawcross: The last emperor of Mexico | Events container | National Gallery, London
Historian Edward Shawcross tells the barely believable tale of Ferdinand Maximilian who ruled Mexico in the mid-19th century. Friday, 20 June 2025, 6.15 - 7 pm. Free.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
June 19, 2025 at 6:04 PM
On 19 June 1867 Ferdinand Maximilian, emperor of Mexico to his supporters, was executed by firing squad. If you want to learn more about this astonishing tale and the story behind the Manet painting, come to the National Gallery tomorrow, 20 June: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks...
Years ahead of its time, Alphonse de Neuville's 1873 painting The Last Cartridges perfectly captures that feeling of despair when you realise the printer has run out of ink.
June 16, 2025 at 9:09 AM
Years ahead of its time, Alphonse de Neuville's 1873 painting The Last Cartridges perfectly captures that feeling of despair when you realise the printer has run out of ink.
Delighted to be speaking at the National Gallery on 20 June as part of their (free!) Friday Lates programme. Come look at Manet's Execution of Maximilian and find out why an Austrian Archduke was killed in Mexico: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks...
Friday Lates: Edward Shawcross: The last emperor of Mexico | Events container | National Gallery, London
Historian Edward Shawcross tells the barely believable tale of Ferdinand Maximilian who ruled Mexico in the mid-19th century. Friday, 20 June 2025, 6.15 - 7 pm. Free.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
June 13, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Delighted to be speaking at the National Gallery on 20 June as part of their (free!) Friday Lates programme. Come look at Manet's Execution of Maximilian and find out why an Austrian Archduke was killed in Mexico: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks...
What's interesting about this is neither of us thought we'd end up in Farnborough.
June 6, 2025 at 10:23 AM
What's interesting about this is neither of us thought we'd end up in Farnborough.
What better backdrop to tell the story of a doomed Habsburg archduke than the magnificent Execution of Maximilian by Edouard Manet? Come along and listen to the history behind the painting, it's free!: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks...
Friday Lates: Edward Shawcross: The last emperor of Mexico | Events container | National Gallery, London
Historian Edward Shawcross tells the barely believable tale of Ferdinand Maximilian who ruled Mexico in the mid-19th century. Friday, 20 June 2025, 6.15 - 7 pm. Free.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
May 27, 2025 at 11:04 AM
What better backdrop to tell the story of a doomed Habsburg archduke than the magnificent Execution of Maximilian by Edouard Manet? Come along and listen to the history behind the painting, it's free!: www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/talks...
"The Emperor chatted during dinner with the complete ease ... there was about him not the slightest touch of the parvenu." In her memoirs, Pauline von Metternich helpfully reminds readers that Napoleon III was a parvenu by saying that he was not a parvenu.
May 16, 2025 at 3:49 PM
"The Emperor chatted during dinner with the complete ease ... there was about him not the slightest touch of the parvenu." In her memoirs, Pauline von Metternich helpfully reminds readers that Napoleon III was a parvenu by saying that he was not a parvenu.
I know targeted advertising and algorithms are getting ever more sophisticated but, even so, I'm impressed Lockheed Martin knew I was in the market for a new fighter jet.
April 29, 2025 at 10:10 AM
I know targeted advertising and algorithms are getting ever more sophisticated but, even so, I'm impressed Lockheed Martin knew I was in the market for a new fighter jet.
The results of the 19 October 1860 hunt at Versailles are finally in! I know some people question the relevance of history, but this kind of important, ground-breaking research should put that one to rest.
April 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
The results of the 19 October 1860 hunt at Versailles are finally in! I know some people question the relevance of history, but this kind of important, ground-breaking research should put that one to rest.
Reposted by Edward Shawcross
@edwardshawcross.bsky.social schreef hier een prachtig boek over en ik vertaalde het in het Nederlands www.arianverheij.nl/pub_details&...
Arian Verheij | Woord & Geschrift
Arian Verheij: vertaler, redacteur, webmaster en docent Hebreeuws, vertaalt literaire non-fictie, schreef een grammatica van het Bijbels Hebreeuws
www.arianverheij.nl
April 16, 2025 at 3:08 PM
@edwardshawcross.bsky.social schreef hier een prachtig boek over en ik vertaalde het in het Nederlands www.arianverheij.nl/pub_details&...
Reposted by Edward Shawcross
With the US riven by civil war, Napoleon III seized the opportunity to install an emperor in #Mexico. Maximilian’s new regime soon fell apart in a catastrophic manner.
⌛ Last chance to read this archive article for free
buff.ly/nxv0vMu
⌛ Last chance to read this archive article for free
buff.ly/nxv0vMu
The Death of an Emperor
buff.ly
April 16, 2025 at 8:16 AM
With the US riven by civil war, Napoleon III seized the opportunity to install an emperor in #Mexico. Maximilian’s new regime soon fell apart in a catastrophic manner.
⌛ Last chance to read this archive article for free
buff.ly/nxv0vMu
⌛ Last chance to read this archive article for free
buff.ly/nxv0vMu