Greg Walker
@gregmw4.bsky.social
Literature Prof at the University of Edinburgh, fan of Prog rock and Nottingham Forest.
Exceptionally sad news for scholars of early English Drama. The great Jean-Paul Debax, a towering figure in Tudor theatre Studies in France, and a kind, generous scholar, has passed away at the age of 90: the last of the founders of the delightful Tours Tables-Rondes.
November 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Exceptionally sad news for scholars of early English Drama. The great Jean-Paul Debax, a towering figure in Tudor theatre Studies in France, and a kind, generous scholar, has passed away at the age of 90: the last of the founders of the delightful Tours Tables-Rondes.
I was deeply sorry to learn, very belatedly, of the passing earlier this year of Prof Marie-Helene Besnault, a stalwart of the long-running Table-Ronde on Tudor drama at the University of Tours. The kindest of souls and most generous of hosts to we travelling Brits. God speed M-H.
November 1, 2025 at 11:17 AM
I was deeply sorry to learn, very belatedly, of the passing earlier this year of Prof Marie-Helene Besnault, a stalwart of the long-running Table-Ronde on Tudor drama at the University of Tours. The kindest of souls and most generous of hosts to we travelling Brits. God speed M-H.
‘Will he have cakes… and tea? Perhaps camomile? He’d surely like that best. No?
(OTD in 1957 John Betjeman auditioned for the role of Sauron in Leni Riefenstahl’s doomed Lord of The Rings project. His ‘lack of chemistry’ with co-star Conrad Veidt (Frodo) allegedly blighted the project from the start
(OTD in 1957 John Betjeman auditioned for the role of Sauron in Leni Riefenstahl’s doomed Lord of The Rings project. His ‘lack of chemistry’ with co-star Conrad Veidt (Frodo) allegedly blighted the project from the start
October 31, 2025 at 11:37 AM
‘Will he have cakes… and tea? Perhaps camomile? He’d surely like that best. No?
(OTD in 1957 John Betjeman auditioned for the role of Sauron in Leni Riefenstahl’s doomed Lord of The Rings project. His ‘lack of chemistry’ with co-star Conrad Veidt (Frodo) allegedly blighted the project from the start
(OTD in 1957 John Betjeman auditioned for the role of Sauron in Leni Riefenstahl’s doomed Lord of The Rings project. His ‘lack of chemistry’ with co-star Conrad Veidt (Frodo) allegedly blighted the project from the start
OTD in 1953 historian AJP Taylor guested on Radio 4’s ‘Beat the Experts’. Wrongly billed as ‘author of ‘How Warts Begin’’, he faced 38 unanswerable questions on swimming pool hygiene, verrucas & how best to touch toads, before hitting host Robert Robinson with an egg sandwich & storming out.
October 15, 2025 at 10:21 AM
OTD in 1953 historian AJP Taylor guested on Radio 4’s ‘Beat the Experts’. Wrongly billed as ‘author of ‘How Warts Begin’’, he faced 38 unanswerable questions on swimming pool hygiene, verrucas & how best to touch toads, before hitting host Robert Robinson with an egg sandwich & storming out.
‘If I can just lever all these little cogs out, the whole thing will work a lot better...’
‘You do know that’s not how clocks work, don’t you?’
(‘Allegory of University Management’, 2025)
‘You do know that’s not how clocks work, don’t you?’
(‘Allegory of University Management’, 2025)
October 12, 2025 at 5:02 PM
‘If I can just lever all these little cogs out, the whole thing will work a lot better...’
‘You do know that’s not how clocks work, don’t you?’
(‘Allegory of University Management’, 2025)
‘You do know that’s not how clocks work, don’t you?’
(‘Allegory of University Management’, 2025)
´Pope arrives in Oxford to challenge old Exam results.´
‘He just appeared in the quad, announced he was infallible & refused to leave until we’d regraded him to a First’, observed a shaken Dame Eleanor Fitzbadderley, Mistress of Boverille College. ‘& then his attack-deacons drank all the sherry...’
‘He just appeared in the quad, announced he was infallible & refused to leave until we’d regraded him to a First’, observed a shaken Dame Eleanor Fitzbadderley, Mistress of Boverille College. ‘& then his attack-deacons drank all the sherry...’
September 28, 2025 at 5:16 PM
´Pope arrives in Oxford to challenge old Exam results.´
‘He just appeared in the quad, announced he was infallible & refused to leave until we’d regraded him to a First’, observed a shaken Dame Eleanor Fitzbadderley, Mistress of Boverille College. ‘& then his attack-deacons drank all the sherry...’
‘He just appeared in the quad, announced he was infallible & refused to leave until we’d regraded him to a First’, observed a shaken Dame Eleanor Fitzbadderley, Mistress of Boverille College. ‘& then his attack-deacons drank all the sherry...’
‘And if they don’t have the crispy duck; I’ll just take the chicken in black bean sauce...’ (‘Many would argue that Sir Delivier la Roux’s storied career rested on completing one of the easier Grail Quests...’)
September 19, 2025 at 8:18 AM
‘And if they don’t have the crispy duck; I’ll just take the chicken in black bean sauce...’ (‘Many would argue that Sir Delivier la Roux’s storied career rested on completing one of the easier Grail Quests...’)
OTD in year 650 of the Third Age: Owing to a persistent glitch in the world-leading University of Numenor course allocation software, Galadriel found herself registered for both Troll Studies A and B and ‘Living Under Bridges: New Perspectives/New Directions’ in Semester 2...’
September 16, 2025 at 8:31 AM
OTD in year 650 of the Third Age: Owing to a persistent glitch in the world-leading University of Numenor course allocation software, Galadriel found herself registered for both Troll Studies A and B and ‘Living Under Bridges: New Perspectives/New Directions’ in Semester 2...’
‘No, he definitely wants it to be called, ‘The Great D’Artagnan and His Three Older, Less Interesting Friends...’’
The little shi…. Look, he’s not here yet; change it to ‘The Three Musketeers’ and there’s a tenner in it for you...
(‘The stories Behind Great Book Titles’ number 15)
The little shi…. Look, he’s not here yet; change it to ‘The Three Musketeers’ and there’s a tenner in it for you...
(‘The stories Behind Great Book Titles’ number 15)
September 9, 2025 at 8:04 AM
‘No, he definitely wants it to be called, ‘The Great D’Artagnan and His Three Older, Less Interesting Friends...’’
The little shi…. Look, he’s not here yet; change it to ‘The Three Musketeers’ and there’s a tenner in it for you...
(‘The stories Behind Great Book Titles’ number 15)
The little shi…. Look, he’s not here yet; change it to ‘The Three Musketeers’ and there’s a tenner in it for you...
(‘The stories Behind Great Book Titles’ number 15)
A fine birthday weekend with old friends and carnivorous plants…
September 7, 2025 at 8:43 PM
A fine birthday weekend with old friends and carnivorous plants…
(‘When Great Writers Met’ 17: George Eliot and H.D.)
Wha?. I thought you’d be a man...
‘Well, I thought you’d be a pencil...’
Hmmm....oh no, here comes Caryl Phillips.
‘Wha...she’s a bloke now? I think I need a drink.’
Wha?. I thought you’d be a man...
‘Well, I thought you’d be a pencil...’
Hmmm....oh no, here comes Caryl Phillips.
‘Wha...she’s a bloke now? I think I need a drink.’
September 3, 2025 at 8:01 AM
(‘When Great Writers Met’ 17: George Eliot and H.D.)
Wha?. I thought you’d be a man...
‘Well, I thought you’d be a pencil...’
Hmmm....oh no, here comes Caryl Phillips.
‘Wha...she’s a bloke now? I think I need a drink.’
Wha?. I thought you’d be a man...
‘Well, I thought you’d be a pencil...’
Hmmm....oh no, here comes Caryl Phillips.
‘Wha...she’s a bloke now? I think I need a drink.’
Breaking: University of Narnia announces acting VC and Professor of Swordplay, Reepicheep McPherson is to step down with immediate effect after allegations emerge of inappropriate relationship with Wonderland exchange student.
August 31, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Breaking: University of Narnia announces acting VC and Professor of Swordplay, Reepicheep McPherson is to step down with immediate effect after allegations emerge of inappropriate relationship with Wonderland exchange student.
(‘And last of all there was Hope, to make all the rest bearable...’)
‘Come on out you little shite, you must be in there somewhere!’
(‘Pandora and Her Box’, 2025’)
‘Come on out you little shite, you must be in there somewhere!’
(‘Pandora and Her Box’, 2025’)
August 28, 2025 at 9:54 AM
(‘And last of all there was Hope, to make all the rest bearable...’)
‘Come on out you little shite, you must be in there somewhere!’
(‘Pandora and Her Box’, 2025’)
‘Come on out you little shite, you must be in there somewhere!’
(‘Pandora and Her Box’, 2025’)
(Charlotte took great pleasure in switching the online Proust and Conrad conversation simulation to ‘stick-fighting’ mode during the weekly free-study period...)
‘You, sir, are a bounder and a cad. ‘Heart of Darkness’? ‘Fart of Darkness’ more like!’
‘You take that back, you French Jessie!’
‘You, sir, are a bounder and a cad. ‘Heart of Darkness’? ‘Fart of Darkness’ more like!’
‘You take that back, you French Jessie!’
August 27, 2025 at 7:45 AM
(Charlotte took great pleasure in switching the online Proust and Conrad conversation simulation to ‘stick-fighting’ mode during the weekly free-study period...)
‘You, sir, are a bounder and a cad. ‘Heart of Darkness’? ‘Fart of Darkness’ more like!’
‘You take that back, you French Jessie!’
‘You, sir, are a bounder and a cad. ‘Heart of Darkness’? ‘Fart of Darkness’ more like!’
‘You take that back, you French Jessie!’
(Meanwhile in the Senior Common Room)
‘What’s that old son? ‘Decolonising the curriculum’? Yes, we did that in ‘57. Swapped Kipling for Buchan. Never looked back. We were such radicals back then. Help yourself to an Empire Biscuit, they’re delicious...’
‘What’s that old son? ‘Decolonising the curriculum’? Yes, we did that in ‘57. Swapped Kipling for Buchan. Never looked back. We were such radicals back then. Help yourself to an Empire Biscuit, they’re delicious...’
August 26, 2025 at 8:12 AM
(Meanwhile in the Senior Common Room)
‘What’s that old son? ‘Decolonising the curriculum’? Yes, we did that in ‘57. Swapped Kipling for Buchan. Never looked back. We were such radicals back then. Help yourself to an Empire Biscuit, they’re delicious...’
‘What’s that old son? ‘Decolonising the curriculum’? Yes, we did that in ‘57. Swapped Kipling for Buchan. Never looked back. We were such radicals back then. Help yourself to an Empire Biscuit, they’re delicious...’
(CSI Narnia returns with a feature-length episode, Thursday on 5)
‘Good work Reepi. That enhanced cctv footage clinches it. Lucy, Mr Beaver, get down to ‘Tumnus’ Goatburgers’ now and bring that SOB in. We’ve got our goddam rustler at last.’
‘Good work Reepi. That enhanced cctv footage clinches it. Lucy, Mr Beaver, get down to ‘Tumnus’ Goatburgers’ now and bring that SOB in. We’ve got our goddam rustler at last.’
August 25, 2025 at 7:15 AM
(CSI Narnia returns with a feature-length episode, Thursday on 5)
‘Good work Reepi. That enhanced cctv footage clinches it. Lucy, Mr Beaver, get down to ‘Tumnus’ Goatburgers’ now and bring that SOB in. We’ve got our goddam rustler at last.’
‘Good work Reepi. That enhanced cctv footage clinches it. Lucy, Mr Beaver, get down to ‘Tumnus’ Goatburgers’ now and bring that SOB in. We’ve got our goddam rustler at last.’
‘So, darling, you closed Russian just before the rise of Putin, and Media Studies as Twitter went global. Now you say English isn’t vital for modern life. Remind me again what you said at interview about being a visionary...’
(‘Britain’s Worst Vice Chancellors’ returns tonight at 7.00)
(‘Britain’s Worst Vice Chancellors’ returns tonight at 7.00)
August 24, 2025 at 7:57 AM
‘So, darling, you closed Russian just before the rise of Putin, and Media Studies as Twitter went global. Now you say English isn’t vital for modern life. Remind me again what you said at interview about being a visionary...’
(‘Britain’s Worst Vice Chancellors’ returns tonight at 7.00)
(‘Britain’s Worst Vice Chancellors’ returns tonight at 7.00)
Controversial new crime drama tonight on 5: Jesus PI
Christ: But only you, Martha, knew Mary’s habit of removing her spectacles before yoga, & could switch her halo for that cheese wire without Leo there barking
Martha: It's uncanny. Do you know everything?
Christ: (looks to camera. winks. Fade out)
Christ: But only you, Martha, knew Mary’s habit of removing her spectacles before yoga, & could switch her halo for that cheese wire without Leo there barking
Martha: It's uncanny. Do you know everything?
Christ: (looks to camera. winks. Fade out)
August 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
Controversial new crime drama tonight on 5: Jesus PI
Christ: But only you, Martha, knew Mary’s habit of removing her spectacles before yoga, & could switch her halo for that cheese wire without Leo there barking
Martha: It's uncanny. Do you know everything?
Christ: (looks to camera. winks. Fade out)
Christ: But only you, Martha, knew Mary’s habit of removing her spectacles before yoga, & could switch her halo for that cheese wire without Leo there barking
Martha: It's uncanny. Do you know everything?
Christ: (looks to camera. winks. Fade out)
Cautionary Tales from the Opticians' museum. 'Danger number 7: Overconfidence’)
Surgeon: ‘You see how with experience I have learnt to remove the cornea by touch alone, with the patient completely oblivious to the procedure'
Unknown Orphan: 'Aaaaaaaargh'
Surgeon: ‘You see how with experience I have learnt to remove the cornea by touch alone, with the patient completely oblivious to the procedure'
Unknown Orphan: 'Aaaaaaaargh'
August 20, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Cautionary Tales from the Opticians' museum. 'Danger number 7: Overconfidence’)
Surgeon: ‘You see how with experience I have learnt to remove the cornea by touch alone, with the patient completely oblivious to the procedure'
Unknown Orphan: 'Aaaaaaaargh'
Surgeon: ‘You see how with experience I have learnt to remove the cornea by touch alone, with the patient completely oblivious to the procedure'
Unknown Orphan: 'Aaaaaaaargh'
Now there’s a life fully lived!
August 16, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Now there’s a life fully lived!
OTD in 1901 DH Lawrence failed the audition to paint Queen Victoria’s final state portrait.
‘Can you try ‘n show something on thy face ‘tween rapture and ecstasy, ma’am… Imagine a gret rough beast were ‘aving its way with you…’
‘Can you try ‘n show something on thy face ‘tween rapture and ecstasy, ma’am… Imagine a gret rough beast were ‘aving its way with you…’
August 16, 2025 at 8:59 AM
OTD in 1901 DH Lawrence failed the audition to paint Queen Victoria’s final state portrait.
‘Can you try ‘n show something on thy face ‘tween rapture and ecstasy, ma’am… Imagine a gret rough beast were ‘aving its way with you…’
‘Can you try ‘n show something on thy face ‘tween rapture and ecstasy, ma’am… Imagine a gret rough beast were ‘aving its way with you…’
Unlikely friendships #27. Virginia Woolf met lifelong scrabble partner Sophia Loren while captaining Young WMCC on their controversial 1923 ‘bodyline’ tour of Sardinia. As Vita Sackville West pitched balls at chin height at startled Italians, Woolf took 7 slip catches, including Loren (for 5).
August 15, 2025 at 6:56 AM
Unlikely friendships #27. Virginia Woolf met lifelong scrabble partner Sophia Loren while captaining Young WMCC on their controversial 1923 ‘bodyline’ tour of Sardinia. As Vita Sackville West pitched balls at chin height at startled Italians, Woolf took 7 slip catches, including Loren (for 5).
‘Look ‘ere, that cove Dickens’s only gone & put us in ‘is new book. The Dodger’s got whole sections just to ‘is self; Bill’s in it, even I get a walk on…
‘And what of me? Do I and my exotic, eccentric chocolate factory perhaps feature at all….?’
Sorry, Willy, not a word.
‘Tosser!’
‘And what of me? Do I and my exotic, eccentric chocolate factory perhaps feature at all….?’
Sorry, Willy, not a word.
‘Tosser!’
August 14, 2025 at 7:07 AM
‘Look ‘ere, that cove Dickens’s only gone & put us in ‘is new book. The Dodger’s got whole sections just to ‘is self; Bill’s in it, even I get a walk on…
‘And what of me? Do I and my exotic, eccentric chocolate factory perhaps feature at all….?’
Sorry, Willy, not a word.
‘Tosser!’
‘And what of me? Do I and my exotic, eccentric chocolate factory perhaps feature at all….?’
Sorry, Willy, not a word.
‘Tosser!’