James Fox
@jamesafox.bsky.social
Social historian of numeracy, communication, knowledge, books | Postdoc at Glasgow Uni researching early modern how-to books howtobook.eu | PhD from St Andrews on numeracy in early modern Britain | Writer and co-editor at scilicet.org.uk
Reposted by James Fox
🎆Happy #GuyFawkesDay!
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
November 5, 2025 at 4:33 PM
🎆Happy #GuyFawkesDay!
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
Before and after the 1605 gunpowder plot, fireworks were an important part of celebrations. But what were they made of?
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the fascinating book that taught the art of making fire
scilicet.org.uk/before-and-a... #Skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
My latest post for Scilicet, on Frederick the Great's Anti-Machiavel
What does a Prince need to know?
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
October 29, 2025 at 12:51 PM
My latest post for Scilicet, on Frederick the Great's Anti-Machiavel
Reposted by James Fox
What does a Prince need to know?
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
October 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
What does a Prince need to know?
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
In our latest article, @nataliesmith.bsky.social analyses Frederick the Great's fiery rebuttal to Machiavelli's "the Prince", and examines what it can tell us about #EarlyModern ideas of morality, war and governance:
scilicet.org.uk/is-ruling-th... #Skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
👀 Want to find out more about our project?
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
October 27, 2025 at 2:34 PM
👀 Want to find out more about our project?
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
Team members Alina Lange and Stefan Laube recently appeared on the Herzog August Library podcast to discuss the fascinating world of early modern how-to books.
👉 Listen along (in German) here: www.hab.de/podcast-22-v...
#bookhistory #libraries #podcast
Reposted by James Fox
Navigating flu season is bad enough, but what are you meant to do when the Black Death strikes in your city? 💀In our latest article, @guyfassler.bsky.social looks at some lessons learned from #medieval Pistoia: scilicet.org.uk/the-black-de...
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
October 22, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Navigating flu season is bad enough, but what are you meant to do when the Black Death strikes in your city? 💀In our latest article, @guyfassler.bsky.social looks at some lessons learned from #medieval Pistoia: scilicet.org.uk/the-black-de...
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
#Skystorians #historyofknowledge #MedievalHistory
Reposted by James Fox
This week we have a special article in which we share our thoughts about the History of Knowledge and what it means to us.
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
What is the history of knowledge? | Scilicet
Scilicet is a blog dedicated to the history of knowledge. In the broadest terms, we’re interested in what people in the past knew, what it meant to know things, and what we as historians can learn abo...
scilicet.org.uk
October 15, 2025 at 1:43 PM
This week we have a special article in which we share our thoughts about the History of Knowledge and what it means to us.
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
It was great fun to write and we hope you will find it thought provoking!
#skystorians #historyofknowledge
scilicet.org.uk/what-is-the-...
The #cfp deadline for our 2026 conference on 'Print and Education is now just under 2 months away!!
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
🚨Call for Papers: The 18th St Andrews/USTC Book History Conference on 'Print and Education' will take place 18–20 June 2026.
👉 Further details here: www.ustc.ac.uk/conference
📅 Application deadline: 12 December 2025
📖 We look forward to receiving your proposals!
#CfP #bookhistory #skystorians
👉 Further details here: www.ustc.ac.uk/conference
📅 Application deadline: 12 December 2025
📖 We look forward to receiving your proposals!
#CfP #bookhistory #skystorians
October 13, 2025 at 12:49 PM
The #cfp deadline for our 2026 conference on 'Print and Education is now just under 2 months away!!
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
If anyone would like to discuss a proposal with me, feel free to get in touch.
#bookhistory #Education #conference
Reposted by James Fox
We've joined the blue sky! Just as the skies darken for winter too
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
The Scottish History Society
scottishhistorysociety.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:09 PM
We've joined the blue sky! Just as the skies darken for winter too
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
Please let your followers know that the Scottish History Society has arrived!
Find out more about memberships, the society, and events at our website: scottishhistorysociety.com
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social charts the meteoric rise and eventual decline of #18thcentury mathematician 🧮 Thomas Simpson.
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
October 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
In our latest article, @jamesafox.bsky.social charts the meteoric rise and eventual decline of #18thcentury mathematician 🧮 Thomas Simpson.
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
👉 Read more here: scilicet.org.uk/becoming-a-m...
#history #mathematics #skystorians
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest blog post, intern Sandrine Hoppe explores the earliest known recipe book authored by a woman in vernacular German, Anna Wecker's Ein köstlich new kochbuck (1598)
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
October 7, 2025 at 12:59 PM
In our latest blog post, intern Sandrine Hoppe explores the earliest known recipe book authored by a woman in vernacular German, Anna Wecker's Ein köstlich new kochbuck (1598)
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4596
#bookhistory #cookbook #blog
Reposted by James Fox
🤔 Is it better to learn from the wisdom of the ancients or from your experience gained over time?
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
October 1, 2025 at 3:11 PM
🤔 Is it better to learn from the wisdom of the ancients or from your experience gained over time?
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
📚 In our latest blog post, @guyfassler.bsky.social explores a 15th-century Tuscan dialogue debating that very question...
scilicet.org.uk/whats-the-po...
#bookhistory #medieval #knowledge
Reposted by James Fox
What do beekeeping books tell us about changes in early modern science and society? @jamesafox.bsky.social has some suggestions, especially in relation to #17thCentury England scilicet.org.uk/the-hive-tur...
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
September 24, 2025 at 12:35 PM
What do beekeeping books tell us about changes in early modern science and society? @jamesafox.bsky.social has some suggestions, especially in relation to #17thCentury England scilicet.org.uk/the-hive-tur...
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
#Skystorians #EarlyModern #Bees #AnimalHistory
Reposted by James Fox
We're back from our summer break, and are ready for a new season ☀️ Keep an eye on this page tomorrow, there's something buzzing...
September 23, 2025 at 6:08 PM
We're back from our summer break, and are ready for a new season ☀️ Keep an eye on this page tomorrow, there's something buzzing...
Reposted by James Fox
Great to see the latest issue of Scottish Archives in print! I've written a wee something about James VI's Scottish menagerie 🐆 🐪 👑
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
September 18, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Great to see the latest issue of Scottish Archives in print! I've written a wee something about James VI's Scottish menagerie 🐆 🐪 👑
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
Looking forward to reading all the other fantastic contributions when my copy arrives!
The latest issue of Scottish Archives has now been published, featuring work from @mchapelproject.bsky.social @nicolemaceira.bsky.social @ksmcgregor.bsky.social and myself, among others. If anyone would like a PDF of my article, just send me a message!
#bookhistory #scottishhistory #Archives
#bookhistory #scottishhistory #Archives
September 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The latest issue of Scottish Archives has now been published, featuring work from @mchapelproject.bsky.social @nicolemaceira.bsky.social @ksmcgregor.bsky.social and myself, among others. If anyone would like a PDF of my article, just send me a message!
#bookhistory #scottishhistory #Archives
#bookhistory #scottishhistory #Archives
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest #blog post, Stefan Laube explores the role of #how-to knowledge in the long span of human history
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4498
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4498
September 10, 2025 at 3:21 PM
In our latest #blog post, Stefan Laube explores the role of #how-to knowledge in the long span of human history
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4498
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4498
Reposted by James Fox
Earlier this summer, project members Billy Grove and @luisgomes.bsky.social introduced our project at the 13th Society for Emblem Studies conference in Vienna. Read more here:
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4453
#howto #emblems #conference
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4453
#howto #emblems #conference
Emblematically How-to in Vienna
Every three years, in the height of summer, scholars from around the world come together to exchange ideas and explore new directions in emblem studies. This year’s conference, organized as always by ...
howtobook.hypotheses.org
September 3, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Earlier this summer, project members Billy Grove and @luisgomes.bsky.social introduced our project at the 13th Society for Emblem Studies conference in Vienna. Read more here:
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4453
#howto #emblems #conference
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4453
#howto #emblems #conference
Reposted by James Fox
New on our #blog: @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the unique #marginalia in a one-of-a-kind 16th-century French arithmetic book from the Herzog August Bibliothek 📖🇩🇪🧮
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4415
#bookhistory #rarebooks #knowledge #mathematics
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4415
#bookhistory #rarebooks #knowledge #mathematics
September 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
New on our #blog: @jamesafox.bsky.social explores the unique #marginalia in a one-of-a-kind 16th-century French arithmetic book from the Herzog August Bibliothek 📖🇩🇪🧮
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4415
#bookhistory #rarebooks #knowledge #mathematics
Read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/4415
#bookhistory #rarebooks #knowledge #mathematics
Reposted by James Fox
Everyone likes a good villain. One who is just waiting for a biopic about him is Gautier de Brienne (duke of Athens) who briefly became the autocratic ruler of Florence. If you want to learn more about him, give this post a read or explore others in our back catalogue!
#Skystorians #Florence
#Skystorians #Florence
Medieval Elections I: The Duke of Athens goes to parliament | Scilicet
In celebration of the UK 2024 general election, we delve into some intriguing and intricate elections from medieval Italy. This first one comes from 14th C. Florence and involves the mysterious Duke o...
scilicet.org.uk
August 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Everyone likes a good villain. One who is just waiting for a biopic about him is Gautier de Brienne (duke of Athens) who briefly became the autocratic ruler of Florence. If you want to learn more about him, give this post a read or explore others in our back catalogue!
#Skystorians #Florence
#Skystorians #Florence
Reposted by James Fox
Before becoming the king of Sweden, young Gustav Adolf showed remarkable aptitude for drawing. His doodles of horses and military scenes give a fascinating insight into the childhood of a future king. Read our post here, and why not explore our back catalogue!
#Skystorians #Sweden #AnimalHistory
#Skystorians #Sweden #AnimalHistory
Royal Doodles: Gustav IV Adolf of Sweden’s childhood drawings of horses | Scilicet
A curious set of drawings by the future king of Sweden, 10 year old Gustav IV Adolf, shed some light on a royal childhood.
scilicet.org.uk
August 13, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Before becoming the king of Sweden, young Gustav Adolf showed remarkable aptitude for drawing. His doodles of horses and military scenes give a fascinating insight into the childhood of a future king. Read our post here, and why not explore our back catalogue!
#Skystorians #Sweden #AnimalHistory
#Skystorians #Sweden #AnimalHistory
Reposted by James Fox
In our latest blog post @jamesafox.bsky.social examines the only surviving copy of the first Paracelsian medical text printed in English, 1575 - an important milestone in the history of Anglophone how-to books.
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4371
#bookhistory #rarebooks #medicalhistory
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4371
#bookhistory #rarebooks #medicalhistory
August 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
In our latest blog post @jamesafox.bsky.social examines the only surviving copy of the first Paracelsian medical text printed in English, 1575 - an important milestone in the history of Anglophone how-to books.
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4371
#bookhistory #rarebooks #medicalhistory
howtobook.hypotheses.org/4371
#bookhistory #rarebooks #medicalhistory
#bookhistory people get your proposals in 📖
🚨Call for Papers: The 18th St Andrews/USTC Book History Conference on 'Print and Education' will take place 18–20 June 2026.
👉 Further details here: www.ustc.ac.uk/conference
📅 Application deadline: 12 December 2025
📖 We look forward to receiving your proposals!
#CfP #bookhistory #skystorians
👉 Further details here: www.ustc.ac.uk/conference
📅 Application deadline: 12 December 2025
📖 We look forward to receiving your proposals!
#CfP #bookhistory #skystorians
July 1, 2025 at 12:27 PM
#bookhistory people get your proposals in 📖
Reposted by James Fox
Elmswell Hall in Yorkshire, where 17th-century landowner Henry Best handwrote a farming #how-to book for his son.
In our latest blog, @jamesafox.bsky.social compares Best's advice on beekeeping with a printed equivalent. 📚🐝
👉 howtobook.hypotheses.org/4150
#bookhistory #bees #nationalwritingday
In our latest blog, @jamesafox.bsky.social compares Best's advice on beekeeping with a printed equivalent. 📚🐝
👉 howtobook.hypotheses.org/4150
#bookhistory #bees #nationalwritingday
June 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Elmswell Hall in Yorkshire, where 17th-century landowner Henry Best handwrote a farming #how-to book for his son.
In our latest blog, @jamesafox.bsky.social compares Best's advice on beekeeping with a printed equivalent. 📚🐝
👉 howtobook.hypotheses.org/4150
#bookhistory #bees #nationalwritingday
In our latest blog, @jamesafox.bsky.social compares Best's advice on beekeeping with a printed equivalent. 📚🐝
👉 howtobook.hypotheses.org/4150
#bookhistory #bees #nationalwritingday
Reposted by James Fox
New on our blog: Stefan Laube on the #howto of thrift, sustainability and making do...
📚 read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/3935
#blog #skystorians #thrift #sustainability
📚 read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/3935
#blog #skystorians #thrift #sustainability
Those Who Patch Know. On How-Toes that Flourish
A flat bicycle tire is never welcome. It usually happens at the worst possible moment: on the way to my seminar or at the start to an excursion to the idyllic lakes in Brandenburg. Strangely, it almos...
howtobook.hypotheses.org
June 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
New on our blog: Stefan Laube on the #howto of thrift, sustainability and making do...
📚 read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/3935
#blog #skystorians #thrift #sustainability
📚 read more here: howtobook.hypotheses.org/3935
#blog #skystorians #thrift #sustainability
Reposted by James Fox
Fantastic bees and where to find them 🐝 What can a #medieval book of strange animals teach us about kingship and ideal society? @guyfassler.bsky.social explains how the Aberdeen Bestiary can answer these questions in our latest post: scilicet.org.uk/fantastic-be... #Skystorians #MedievalHistory
June 10, 2025 at 7:50 AM
Fantastic bees and where to find them 🐝 What can a #medieval book of strange animals teach us about kingship and ideal society? @guyfassler.bsky.social explains how the Aberdeen Bestiary can answer these questions in our latest post: scilicet.org.uk/fantastic-be... #Skystorians #MedievalHistory