Peter L. Twohig
@ptwohig.bsky.social
Historian employed by a Canadian university. Focus on working people and health and medicine. Co-editor Acadiensis and UTP series Studies in Atlantic Canada History. Good sideman. ❤️ all things Mongolian. Everyone's favourite backup goalie. Fearless AF.
Enjoying my time at the Osler Library for the History of Medicine at McGill.
November 10, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Enjoying my time at the Osler Library for the History of Medicine at McGill.
One of my favourite archival discoveries over this past 12 weeks of research in New York and Boston is a letter from a nurse who worked at St. Rita Hospital, in Sydney, NS. I cannot show too much of it here (confidentially restrictions) but all will eventually be revealed.
August 9, 2025 at 5:42 PM
One of my favourite archival discoveries over this past 12 weeks of research in New York and Boston is a letter from a nurse who worked at St. Rita Hospital, in Sydney, NS. I cannot show too much of it here (confidentially restrictions) but all will eventually be revealed.
Weird moment today when I came across a letter from my employer in the archival collections I”m using at Harvard.
July 30, 2025 at 11:42 PM
Weird moment today when I came across a letter from my employer in the archival collections I”m using at Harvard.
There is no question that the humanities are in crisis, and have little support in many universities, governments, funding agencies, etc. But if you want to know why we need the humanities, read Dr. Jill Lepore's guest essay in the NY Times on the genealogy of Elon Musk's ideas.
April 5, 2025 at 10:25 AM
There is no question that the humanities are in crisis, and have little support in many universities, governments, funding agencies, etc. But if you want to know why we need the humanities, read Dr. Jill Lepore's guest essay in the NY Times on the genealogy of Elon Musk's ideas.
I spend a lot of time thinking about my colleagues and students in the US, and what universities are facing. Another chilling article in the NY Times.
March 16, 2025 at 11:04 AM
I spend a lot of time thinking about my colleagues and students in the US, and what universities are facing. Another chilling article in the NY Times.
I am thrilled to present some new research on the origins of workplace health initiatives tonight to the Dalhousie Society for the History of Medicine. That society, which meets virtually, has been active for more than 40 years. It has been critical in my own professional development.
March 3, 2025 at 1:19 PM
I am thrilled to present some new research on the origins of workplace health initiatives tonight to the Dalhousie Society for the History of Medicine. That society, which meets virtually, has been active for more than 40 years. It has been critical in my own professional development.
Has anyone coined the term "Trumpuppet" for people who, knowingly or unknowingly, advance the current American agenda in Canada or elsewhere?
February 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Has anyone coined the term "Trumpuppet" for people who, knowingly or unknowingly, advance the current American agenda in Canada or elsewhere?
Today in Nova Scotia, Nora Bernard will be honored. I have taught about her, and her tremendous impact, for nearly 20 years in my classes. My students meet Nora in three different lectures through the term. I often teach her story with tears in my eyes, and students listen intently.
February 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Today in Nova Scotia, Nora Bernard will be honored. I have taught about her, and her tremendous impact, for nearly 20 years in my classes. My students meet Nora in three different lectures through the term. I often teach her story with tears in my eyes, and students listen intently.
I really hope nobody tells the President about Mexico Bay, on Lake Ontario. It might set off a frenzy.
February 16, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I really hope nobody tells the President about Mexico Bay, on Lake Ontario. It might set off a frenzy.
In today's NYT, an opinion piece with a little History of Medicine, including quotations from historians Howard Markel and Natalia Mehlman Petrzela. So much more to be said about this topic and the place of history in the politics of 2025.
February 15, 2025 at 1:50 PM
In today's NYT, an opinion piece with a little History of Medicine, including quotations from historians Howard Markel and Natalia Mehlman Petrzela. So much more to be said about this topic and the place of history in the politics of 2025.
There is an Interesting opinion piece in today's NYT by Michelle Goldberg on the US situation. J.D. Vance, the VP, told the the National Conservatism Conference in 2021 that "Universities are the Enemy." In Canada, post-secondary education is facing many issues and some settings are struggling.
February 14, 2025 at 10:37 AM
There is an Interesting opinion piece in today's NYT by Michelle Goldberg on the US situation. J.D. Vance, the VP, told the the National Conservatism Conference in 2021 that "Universities are the Enemy." In Canada, post-secondary education is facing many issues and some settings are struggling.
In yesterday's NY Times, a really interesting article on whether or not people were healthier in the past. Lots of medical historians give perspective. It is always good to see my #MedHist colleagues bring their significant research to bear on imp public policy discussions.
January 14, 2025 at 10:10 AM
In yesterday's NY Times, a really interesting article on whether or not people were healthier in the past. Lots of medical historians give perspective. It is always good to see my #MedHist colleagues bring their significant research to bear on imp public policy discussions.
I'm reading the back catalogue of the American conservative publication Human Events for a project. Ran across this gem from 1974 on liberal bias in the media
January 11, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I'm reading the back catalogue of the American conservative publication Human Events for a project. Ran across this gem from 1974 on liberal bias in the media
RIP Jimmy Carter. A remarkable human being even if he was not a remarkable president.
December 29, 2024 at 9:26 PM
RIP Jimmy Carter. A remarkable human being even if he was not a remarkable president.
I submitted my marks yesterday, so back to some writing. A wee excerpt from the intro to my next book that discusses CUPW, back-to-work legislation, and how J-C Parrot's defiance landed him in jail.
December 14, 2024 at 4:46 PM
I submitted my marks yesterday, so back to some writing. A wee excerpt from the intro to my next book that discusses CUPW, back-to-work legislation, and how J-C Parrot's defiance landed him in jail.
Boris and Svetlaya were orphaned Amur tiger cubs. They were released from captivity at 18 mos. Boris walked more than 100 miles to reunite with Svetlaya and, 6 mos later, they had a litter of cubs. Journeys and destinations. From yesterday's NYT.
December 12, 2024 at 9:57 AM
Boris and Svetlaya were orphaned Amur tiger cubs. They were released from captivity at 18 mos. Boris walked more than 100 miles to reunite with Svetlaya and, 6 mos later, they had a litter of cubs. Journeys and destinations. From yesterday's NYT.
A day to reflect on violence against women and remember the young women who were murdered at École Polytechnique.
December 6, 2024 at 9:39 AM
A day to reflect on violence against women and remember the young women who were murdered at École Polytechnique.
I was happy to attend an event on campus for the first time in a long time. It was SMUFU’s 50th birthday. Great to see my colleague Peter MacInnis (CAUT President) and David Robinson at the event. Thanks to Cathy Conrad Suso for her leadership. #SolidarityForever
December 6, 2024 at 12:48 AM
I was happy to attend an event on campus for the first time in a long time. It was SMUFU’s 50th birthday. Great to see my colleague Peter MacInnis (CAUT President) and David Robinson at the event. Thanks to Cathy Conrad Suso for her leadership. #SolidarityForever
I am not inflexible when it comes to the needs of students. There are many different learning styles, most of my students have to work, etc. But there is a segment of the student population that insists on special consideration, even when it is not warranted. Chickens and roosts.
December 4, 2024 at 1:08 PM
I am not inflexible when it comes to the needs of students. There are many different learning styles, most of my students have to work, etc. But there is a segment of the student population that insists on special consideration, even when it is not warranted. Chickens and roosts.
The Irish election is (again) a three-way split between parties with rich histories. Exit polls show Sinn Féin with a slim advantage. Counting starts today.
November 30, 2024 at 11:29 AM
The Irish election is (again) a three-way split between parties with rich histories. Exit polls show Sinn Féin with a slim advantage. Counting starts today.
I am really excited to be presenting some early findings today from my new SSHRC-funded research project on occupational health & safety in Canada and the US post-1950 to a gathering of PhD students in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
November 25, 2024 at 12:36 PM
I am really excited to be presenting some early findings today from my new SSHRC-funded research project on occupational health & safety in Canada and the US post-1950 to a gathering of PhD students in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Here is how bad things are at my University. 91.1% of faculty members voted in favour of a non-confidence motion in the President and the Chair of the Board of Governors. It is time to take out the garbage, and start to rebuild the badly damaged reputation of Saint Mary's.
April 9, 2024 at 6:31 PM
Here is how bad things are at my University. 91.1% of faculty members voted in favour of a non-confidence motion in the President and the Chair of the Board of Governors. It is time to take out the garbage, and start to rebuild the badly damaged reputation of Saint Mary's.
I was very happy to stand with Gary Burrill, Danny Cavanagh, Sandra Mullen and other labour reps at yesterday’s rally in support of the MSVU Faculty Association. This is what solidarity looks like.
February 24, 2024 at 2:10 PM
I was very happy to stand with Gary Burrill, Danny Cavanagh, Sandra Mullen and other labour reps at yesterday’s rally in support of the MSVU Faculty Association. This is what solidarity looks like.