Nathan Hobby
@nathanhobby.bsky.social
Biographer, scholar & special collections librarian in Perth, Australia. Author of THE RED WITCH, 2023 WA Premier's Prize Book of the Year. Working on a biography of John Curtin. Covid & climate action now! https://nathanhobby.com
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
A few weeks back, as part of my #slvresidency, I created a big, fully-searchable database with all the content from the 24 volumes of Sands & MacDougall's directories digitised by the SLV. I've finally written up the details: https://updates.timsherratt.org/2025/11/12/a-new-way-of-searching.html […]
Original post on hcommons.social
hcommons.social
November 12, 2025 at 11:38 AM
A few weeks back, as part of my #slvresidency, I created a big, fully-searchable database with all the content from the 24 volumes of Sands & MacDougall's directories digitised by the SLV. I've finally written up the details: https://updates.timsherratt.org/2025/11/12/a-new-way-of-searching.html […]
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
"Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake."
Wallace Stevens, born on this day in 1879
Wallace Stevens, born on this day in 1879
October 2, 2025 at 9:49 AM
"Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake."
Wallace Stevens, born on this day in 1879
Wallace Stevens, born on this day in 1879
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
The SLV is digitising thousands of photos of streetscapes around Victoria created by the Committee for Urban Action in the 1970s. Here's some from Fitzroy: https://find.slv.vic.gov.au/discovery/search?query=series,exact,Committee%20for%20Urban%20Action%20Collection.%20Photographic%20survey […]
Original post on hcommons.social
hcommons.social
September 27, 2025 at 7:47 AM
The SLV is digitising thousands of photos of streetscapes around Victoria created by the Committee for Urban Action in the 1970s. Here's some from Fitzroy: https://find.slv.vic.gov.au/discovery/search?query=series,exact,Committee%20for%20Urban%20Action%20Collection.%20Photographic%20survey […]
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
I'm honoured to be speaking to @petermcphee.bsky.social on Mon 6 Oct at 1pm AEDT about my book Dangers of Youth: Age, Criminality, and Juvenile Justice Reform in Third Republic France at an online event hosted by the George Rudé Society. Please register here: uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
September 15, 2025 at 9:23 AM
I'm honoured to be speaking to @petermcphee.bsky.social on Mon 6 Oct at 1pm AEDT about my book Dangers of Youth: Age, Criminality, and Juvenile Justice Reform in Third Republic France at an online event hosted by the George Rudé Society. Please register here: uni-sydney.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
I'll be speaking at this event: The 80th anniversary of World War II & the formation of the #UN United Nations. What have we learnt and what may the next 80 years hold? Join us at
@curtinuniversity.bsky.social tomorrow evening, brought to you by the Faculty of Humanities and #GlobalFutures Curtin.
@curtinuniversity.bsky.social tomorrow evening, brought to you by the Faculty of Humanities and #GlobalFutures Curtin.
September 10, 2025 at 3:45 AM
I'll be speaking at this event: The 80th anniversary of World War II & the formation of the #UN United Nations. What have we learnt and what may the next 80 years hold? Join us at
@curtinuniversity.bsky.social tomorrow evening, brought to you by the Faculty of Humanities and #GlobalFutures Curtin.
@curtinuniversity.bsky.social tomorrow evening, brought to you by the Faculty of Humanities and #GlobalFutures Curtin.
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Depressing news. Meanjin hardly posed a significant call on the University of Melbourne's finances: its annual budget was no more than a third of the VC's salary. To shut it down diminishes the University of Melbourne and leaves a large hole in Australia's already threadbare cultural landscape
Exclusive: Australia’s second-oldest literary journal, Meanjin, is being shut down today for "financial" reasons, Crikey can reveal.
Literary journal Meanjin to close after 85 years of publishing
Meanjin, a mainstay of Australia's cultural landscape and the nation's second-oldest literary publication, is shuttering after Melbourne University Publishing decided to cease financial support.
www.crikey.com.au
September 4, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Depressing news. Meanjin hardly posed a significant call on the University of Melbourne's finances: its annual budget was no more than a third of the VC's salary. To shut it down diminishes the University of Melbourne and leaves a large hole in Australia's already threadbare cultural landscape
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Since our very first issue Meanjin and Overland have been comrades, mates, rivals, and drinking buddies. The UMP board’s decision is a shockingly myopic act of cultural vandalism which will grievously harm the Australian literary community.
September 4, 2025 at 3:36 AM
Since our very first issue Meanjin and Overland have been comrades, mates, rivals, and drinking buddies. The UMP board’s decision is a shockingly myopic act of cultural vandalism which will grievously harm the Australian literary community.
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Dr Samson Lim (Monash U) is giving the next seminar of the Historians of Southeast Asia Network (HiSEAs) on the 'feral territories' of Eastern Bangkok, Thailand. Intrigued? Join us on Thu 11 September, 4.00 pm AEST on Zoom:
anu.zoom.us/j/8293727404....
Meeting ID: 829 3727 4043/ Passcode:491526.
anu.zoom.us/j/8293727404....
Meeting ID: 829 3727 4043/ Passcode:491526.
September 2, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Dr Samson Lim (Monash U) is giving the next seminar of the Historians of Southeast Asia Network (HiSEAs) on the 'feral territories' of Eastern Bangkok, Thailand. Intrigued? Join us on Thu 11 September, 4.00 pm AEST on Zoom:
anu.zoom.us/j/8293727404....
Meeting ID: 829 3727 4043/ Passcode:491526.
anu.zoom.us/j/8293727404....
Meeting ID: 829 3727 4043/ Passcode:491526.
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Anyone out there in #genealogy , #LocalHistory or #FamilyHistory land know of any collections that should be identified?
DEADLINE EXTENDED TO RECORD DETAILS OF PRECARIOUS ORAL HISTORY COLLECTIONS – FORM CLOSES 28th SEPT. The Identifying Precarious Victorian Oral History Collection Project is creating a list of precarious collections in Victoria, Australia. Learn more and get involved at precariousoralhistories.com
September 1, 2025 at 7:51 AM
Anyone out there in #genealogy , #LocalHistory or #FamilyHistory land know of any collections that should be identified?
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
I've just had confirmation that Newcastle Writers Festival's partnership with Port Waratah Coal Services has ended. I'm pleased to hear this and hope this is an ongoing alignment of NWF's values with their actions. Fossil fuels are the villains and we don't need them to tell stories
August 29, 2025 at 10:49 AM
I've just had confirmation that Newcastle Writers Festival's partnership with Port Waratah Coal Services has ended. I'm pleased to hear this and hope this is an ongoing alignment of NWF's values with their actions. Fossil fuels are the villains and we don't need them to tell stories
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
New rule. A parent may only propose removing a book from the school library only after reading it in its entirety and delivering a book report to the librarian. Until then no discussion shall be entered into.
August 28, 2025 at 5:32 PM
New rule. A parent may only propose removing a book from the school library only after reading it in its entirety and delivering a book report to the librarian. Until then no discussion shall be entered into.
Hazel Rowley once said, 'The opposite is also true' about anything she could write about her biographical subject, Christina Stead.
August 24, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Hazel Rowley once said, 'The opposite is also true' about anything she could write about her biographical subject, Christina Stead.
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Will use this opportunity again to mention my list of online and open access radical historical collections. Nearly 1000 listed from across the world.
hatfulofhistory.wordpress.com/radical-onli...
hatfulofhistory.wordpress.com/radical-onli...
August 22, 2025 at 9:16 AM
Will use this opportunity again to mention my list of online and open access radical historical collections. Nearly 1000 listed from across the world.
hatfulofhistory.wordpress.com/radical-onli...
hatfulofhistory.wordpress.com/radical-onli...
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
“You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.”
Annie Proulx, born on this day in 1935
Annie Proulx, born on this day in 1935
August 22, 2025 at 9:55 AM
“You should write because you love the shape of stories and sentences and the creation of different words on a page. Writing comes from reading, and reading is the finest teacher of how to write.”
Annie Proulx, born on this day in 1935
Annie Proulx, born on this day in 1935
My interview with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies about The Red Witch and the art of biography has just been released on the Biographers in Conversation podcast.
www.biographersinconversation.com/s03e05-natha...
www.biographersinconversation.com/s03e05-natha...
August 22, 2025 at 1:16 AM
My interview with Dr Gabriella Kelly-Davies about The Red Witch and the art of biography has just been released on the Biographers in Conversation podcast.
www.biographersinconversation.com/s03e05-natha...
www.biographersinconversation.com/s03e05-natha...
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
'The Red Witch: A Biography of Katharine Susannah Prichard'
open.substack.com/pub/gabriell...
@nathanhobby.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/gabriell...
@nathanhobby.bsky.social
'The Red Witch: A Biography of Katharine Susannah Prichard'
Biographers in Conversation interview with Nathan Hobby
open.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 4:04 AM
'The Red Witch: A Biography of Katharine Susannah Prichard'
open.substack.com/pub/gabriell...
@nathanhobby.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/gabriell...
@nathanhobby.bsky.social
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
PM's Lit Award shortlists: anzlitlovers.com/2025/08/12/2...
2025 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards shortlist
The 2025 PM’s Literary Awards shortlists were announced today. Fiction Michelle de Kretser, Theory & Practice, abandoned Fiona McFarlane, Highway 13, see Kim’s review at Reading Matters) …
anzlitlovers.com
August 12, 2025 at 12:53 PM
PM's Lit Award shortlists: anzlitlovers.com/2025/08/12/2...
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Passing Strangers, by Felix Riesenberg (1932). This is such a radical book. Economic exploitation, a terrorist bombing in Wall Street, breakdown of the established order. Felix Riesenberg was 53 and on his fifth career when he wrote it. Amazing book, amazing writer.
neglectedbooks.com/?...
neglectedbooks.com/?...
August 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Passing Strangers, by Felix Riesenberg (1932). This is such a radical book. Economic exploitation, a terrorist bombing in Wall Street, breakdown of the established order. Felix Riesenberg was 53 and on his fifth career when he wrote it. Amazing book, amazing writer.
neglectedbooks.com/?...
neglectedbooks.com/?...
Tomorrow is the 80th anniversary of the death of John Curtin, Australian prime minister from 1941 to 1945. I wrote about the depictions of his death by his biographers and some aspects of their biographical methodology.
nathanhobby.com/2025/07/04/t...
nathanhobby.com/2025/07/04/t...
The deaths of John Curtin: his biographers’ accounts of his last days
Prime Minister John Curtin died 80 years ago on 5 July 1945 in an upstairs bedroom at the Lodge. He’d been taken up to the bedroom by stretcher on 22 May after leaving a small private hospita…
nathanhobby.com
July 3, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Tomorrow is the 80th anniversary of the death of John Curtin, Australian prime minister from 1941 to 1945. I wrote about the depictions of his death by his biographers and some aspects of their biographical methodology.
nathanhobby.com/2025/07/04/t...
nathanhobby.com/2025/07/04/t...
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Our book is out! The surprising history of masks worn by plague doctors, factory workers, trench soldier, hospital nurses, and the rest of us.
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
@yalepress.bsky.social
@yalebooks.bsky.socuial
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
@yalepress.bsky.social
@yalebooks.bsky.socuial
July 2, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Our book is out! The surprising history of masks worn by plague doctors, factory workers, trench soldier, hospital nurses, and the rest of us.
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
@yalepress.bsky.social
@yalebooks.bsky.socuial
yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300...
@yalepress.bsky.social
@yalebooks.bsky.socuial
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
Exactly this!
Which is why I've created this purely online conference!
Which is why I've created this purely online conference!
June 22, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Exactly this!
Which is why I've created this purely online conference!
Which is why I've created this purely online conference!
Reposted by Nathan Hobby
A fascinating trip down the historical censorship of comics in Australia from @iurgi.com - well worth your time to read #Libraries #AusLibChat www.iurgi.com/2025/06/book...
Book Challenges and Bans Part 3: Comics Censorship in 1950s Australia
www.iurgi.com
June 23, 2025 at 7:13 AM
A fascinating trip down the historical censorship of comics in Australia from @iurgi.com - well worth your time to read #Libraries #AusLibChat www.iurgi.com/2025/06/book...
New on my blog - revisiting The Mysterious Cities of Gold 35 years later. Any other fans?
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/22/t...
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/22/t...
The Mysterious Cities of Gold
Over several months, I rewatched The Mysterious Cities of Gold (1982) with my kids. It was my favourite show when I was nine; it is even stranger than I remember. In a quest for the seven cities of…
nathanhobby.com
June 22, 2025 at 2:45 AM
New on my blog - revisiting The Mysterious Cities of Gold 35 years later. Any other fans?
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/22/t...
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/22/t...
An exhibition I've been working on - '1945: The Price of Peace', commemorating 80 years since the death of John Curtin and the end of the Second World War.
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/21/1...
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/21/1...
1945: The Price of Peace exhibition
For many weeks, my son asked me each day what I was doing at work, and each day the answer was the same: the exhibition! His anticipation built and I was relieved when I could finally tell him it w…
nathanhobby.com
June 20, 2025 at 11:37 PM
An exhibition I've been working on - '1945: The Price of Peace', commemorating 80 years since the death of John Curtin and the end of the Second World War.
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/21/1...
nathanhobby.com/2025/06/21/1...