Paul Craddock
@pwcraddock.bsky.social
Medical Historian and Filmmaker. Author of Spare Parts. One half of commonfilms.co
Reposted by Paul Craddock
There's a lot of bad in the world right now. But @tealcartoons.bsky.social and I have a new kids' book coming out called DEAD ENDS that reminds us that failure isn't just inevitable but essential to success. There are a limited number of SIGNED copies from @mysteriousbookshop.com - shorturl.at/1A9CS
September 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
There's a lot of bad in the world right now. But @tealcartoons.bsky.social and I have a new kids' book coming out called DEAD ENDS that reminds us that failure isn't just inevitable but essential to success. There are a limited number of SIGNED copies from @mysteriousbookshop.com - shorturl.at/1A9CS
In 2015, Roger Kneebone (left) and I (behind camera!) were privileged to film John McKenzie (right), who over a lifetime made thousands of tiny ophthalmic surgical instruments in his shed. You can see some of his collection in the foreground. John died shortly after we made this recording ... 1/3
September 23, 2025 at 1:46 PM
In 2015, Roger Kneebone (left) and I (behind camera!) were privileged to film John McKenzie (right), who over a lifetime made thousands of tiny ophthalmic surgical instruments in his shed. You can see some of his collection in the foreground. John died shortly after we made this recording ... 1/3
One for academic historians at Oxford!
Medical Humanities and HSMTE have invited me and Cal to give a talk about film production as a research methodology for historians.
Should have mentioned this earlier, but it didn't occur to me to share on here!
Medical Humanities and HSMTE have invited me and Cal to give a talk about film production as a research methodology for historians.
Should have mentioned this earlier, but it didn't occur to me to share on here!
Filmic Humanities and Film-Making-As-Research
www.torch.ox.ac.uk
May 20, 2025 at 11:46 AM
One for academic historians at Oxford!
Medical Humanities and HSMTE have invited me and Cal to give a talk about film production as a research methodology for historians.
Should have mentioned this earlier, but it didn't occur to me to share on here!
Medical Humanities and HSMTE have invited me and Cal to give a talk about film production as a research methodology for historians.
Should have mentioned this earlier, but it didn't occur to me to share on here!
Reposted by Paul Craddock
Less than a week to go now. All preorders greatly appreciated! Numerous options via
geni.us/RingOfFire
Thanking James, @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @iaindale.bsky.social @charliehigson.bsky.social and James for their kind words 🙏🏼
@iainmacgregor1.bsky.social @headofzeus.bsky.social
geni.us/RingOfFire
Thanking James, @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @iaindale.bsky.social @charliehigson.bsky.social and James for their kind words 🙏🏼
@iainmacgregor1.bsky.social @headofzeus.bsky.social
May 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Less than a week to go now. All preorders greatly appreciated! Numerous options via
geni.us/RingOfFire
Thanking James, @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @iaindale.bsky.social @charliehigson.bsky.social and James for their kind words 🙏🏼
@iainmacgregor1.bsky.social @headofzeus.bsky.social
geni.us/RingOfFire
Thanking James, @thehistoryguy.bsky.social @iaindale.bsky.social @charliehigson.bsky.social and James for their kind words 🙏🏼
@iainmacgregor1.bsky.social @headofzeus.bsky.social
Patricia Hammond (mezzo-soprano, historical music specialist, and my wife!) found and performed this 1890s piece of American sheet music with a contemporary resonance ...
@patriciahammond.bsky.social
@patriciahammond.bsky.social
All On Account of the Tariff - 1890 song
YouTube video by patriciahammondsongs
youtu.be
May 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Patricia Hammond (mezzo-soprano, historical music specialist, and my wife!) found and performed this 1890s piece of American sheet music with a contemporary resonance ...
@patriciahammond.bsky.social
@patriciahammond.bsky.social
Reposted by Paul Craddock
For #Caturday: a poignant photo by my friend Paul Koudounaris of a beloved pet's tombstone. "'He was only a cat,' but he was human enough to be a great comfort in hours of loneliness and pain."
Check out Paul's book on pet cemeteries, FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH: bookshop.org/p/books/fait...
Check out Paul's book on pet cemeteries, FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH: bookshop.org/p/books/fait...
May 3, 2025 at 9:20 AM
For #Caturday: a poignant photo by my friend Paul Koudounaris of a beloved pet's tombstone. "'He was only a cat,' but he was human enough to be a great comfort in hours of loneliness and pain."
Check out Paul's book on pet cemeteries, FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH: bookshop.org/p/books/fait...
Check out Paul's book on pet cemeteries, FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH: bookshop.org/p/books/fait...
I tried to write about a girl with no known name, no description. Bloody hard to do! Nothing to go on but the fact that in 1787 she sold one of her teeth to the industrialist Matthew Boulton. He paid a dentist to prise it from her mouth and transplant it into his own daughter, Anne ... 1/4
May 1, 2025 at 11:25 AM
I tried to write about a girl with no known name, no description. Bloody hard to do! Nothing to go on but the fact that in 1787 she sold one of her teeth to the industrialist Matthew Boulton. He paid a dentist to prise it from her mouth and transplant it into his own daughter, Anne ... 1/4
We're making a film about a man who started collecting other people's pocket diaries after discovering something dark in his own childhood diary – something he'd repressed. More about that later. For now, I wanted to share a few of my favourite tender, funny or laconic close-ups!
April 29, 2025 at 4:21 PM
We're making a film about a man who started collecting other people's pocket diaries after discovering something dark in his own childhood diary – something he'd repressed. More about that later. For now, I wanted to share a few of my favourite tender, funny or laconic close-ups!
Reposted by Paul Craddock
If you like stories about bad men doing bad but also sometimes v. funny things in the 1880s, I have new blogs!
👊🏻Denny Harrington, Irish, drunk, jumped on sailors
👊🏻Constantine Morris, Brummie, drunk, bad hitman
👊🏾Felix Scott, Barbadian, less drunk, bit a cop's ear off
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
👊🏻Denny Harrington, Irish, drunk, jumped on sailors
👊🏻Constantine Morris, Brummie, drunk, bad hitman
👊🏾Felix Scott, Barbadian, less drunk, bit a cop's ear off
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
Grappling With History
By Sarah Elizabeth Cox | Rediscovering the wrestlers and boxers of late-Victorian London
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
April 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
If you like stories about bad men doing bad but also sometimes v. funny things in the 1880s, I have new blogs!
👊🏻Denny Harrington, Irish, drunk, jumped on sailors
👊🏻Constantine Morris, Brummie, drunk, bad hitman
👊🏾Felix Scott, Barbadian, less drunk, bit a cop's ear off
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
👊🏻Denny Harrington, Irish, drunk, jumped on sailors
👊🏻Constantine Morris, Brummie, drunk, bad hitman
👊🏾Felix Scott, Barbadian, less drunk, bit a cop's ear off
www.grapplingwithhistory.com
Reposted by Paul Craddock
Very proud of @oispooky.bsky.social, who is set to become a lot cooler than me soon with her own amazing projects on the horizon. She runs one of the best history blogs on the internet - all about the gritty world of Victorian bare-knuckle fighters. So vivid you can smell the sweat. Follow her!
When I was 32 and applying to do a MA History I basically put "I wanna be Lindsey Fitzharris when I grow up" on my personal statement, and got a fees scholarship free ride as a result 😎😂
April 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Very proud of @oispooky.bsky.social, who is set to become a lot cooler than me soon with her own amazing projects on the horizon. She runs one of the best history blogs on the internet - all about the gritty world of Victorian bare-knuckle fighters. So vivid you can smell the sweat. Follow her!
Reposted by Paul Craddock
Bloody gloves belonging to Abraham Lincoln. When the President was shot by John Wilkes Booth, some of the blood ran down his sleeve and pooled in the pocket which contained the gloves.
Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
April 24, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Bloody gloves belonging to Abraham Lincoln. When the President was shot by John Wilkes Booth, some of the blood ran down his sleeve and pooled in the pocket which contained the gloves.
Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
Photo: Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.
Reposted by Paul Craddock
A donation recently on display in our new acquisitions case, this 1890s prescription log book of Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen was examined during his trial in 1910 for the murder of his wife Cora Crippen (aka Belle Elmore). #SomethingNew #Archive30
April 25, 2025 at 7:15 AM
A donation recently on display in our new acquisitions case, this 1890s prescription log book of Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen was examined during his trial in 1910 for the murder of his wife Cora Crippen (aka Belle Elmore). #SomethingNew #Archive30
In his novel Stoner, John Williams's eponymous character has a full-time, tenured position as an assistant professor at a the University of Missouri. And he's considered a failure. Today, that kind of stability would be an impossibility for many academics – a dream job. How things have changed!
April 23, 2025 at 4:38 PM
In his novel Stoner, John Williams's eponymous character has a full-time, tenured position as an assistant professor at a the University of Missouri. And he's considered a failure. Today, that kind of stability would be an impossibility for many academics – a dream job. How things have changed!
In Summer 1931, there was a new sideshow in Blackpool, Lancashire. ‘Brides and bridegrooms straight from the altar starve for 30 days’. The deal: newlywed couples were challenged to stay in glass 'coffins' without food for a month. If they made it, they'd win £250 (about £18,000 today) 1/2
April 19, 2025 at 10:55 PM
In Summer 1931, there was a new sideshow in Blackpool, Lancashire. ‘Brides and bridegrooms straight from the altar starve for 30 days’. The deal: newlywed couples were challenged to stay in glass 'coffins' without food for a month. If they made it, they'd win £250 (about £18,000 today) 1/2
This is Tony Webb and his wonderful wife Cecily. Tony is 90 and the only remaining master carver of stone AND wood left in the United Kingdom (to his knowledge) 1/4
January 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
This is Tony Webb and his wonderful wife Cecily. Tony is 90 and the only remaining master carver of stone AND wood left in the United Kingdom (to his knowledge) 1/4
Extra special post by an extra wonderful historian and friend. Read through to the end and listen to her on Best Medicine. You won't regret it!
THREAD on the practice of "SIN-EATING" 🧵
In 19th-century Britain, it was customary during a funeral to provide biscuits for mourners to take away. They were often wrapped and sealed in black wax. Here you see an example of a funeral biscuit wrapper from 1828. 1/9
In 19th-century Britain, it was customary during a funeral to provide biscuits for mourners to take away. They were often wrapped and sealed in black wax. Here you see an example of a funeral biscuit wrapper from 1828. 1/9
December 10, 2024 at 1:45 PM
Extra special post by an extra wonderful historian and friend. Read through to the end and listen to her on Best Medicine. You won't regret it!
Reposted by Paul Craddock
Did you complete your History PhD in the UK or Ireland? Did you publish your first academic monograph this year in 2024? Please consider submitting it for consideration for the RHS First Book Prize! Nominations open on Mon 1 December and close Fri 31 January 2025. 🗃️ royalhistsoc.org/royal-histor...
Royal Historical Society First Book and Early Career Article Prizes for 2025: new terms and timeline | RHS
royalhistsoc.org
November 28, 2024 at 10:29 AM
Did you complete your History PhD in the UK or Ireland? Did you publish your first academic monograph this year in 2024? Please consider submitting it for consideration for the RHS First Book Prize! Nominations open on Mon 1 December and close Fri 31 January 2025. 🗃️ royalhistsoc.org/royal-histor...
20th August 1978, the 'Transplant Olympics'. First ever competitive sporting event for transplant recipients. There is now a 'World Transplant Games' every year, alternating Summer and Winter. Next year: Dresden, Germany – 7th-24th August! 1/3
November 27, 2024 at 10:08 PM
20th August 1978, the 'Transplant Olympics'. First ever competitive sporting event for transplant recipients. There is now a 'World Transplant Games' every year, alternating Summer and Winter. Next year: Dresden, Germany – 7th-24th August! 1/3
Looking for working-class people who quit their PhDs. If this is you, could we please have a chat? It's for Common Knowledge Substack. Thanks so much! (As for me, I'm conflicted. Glad I have mine now, but had to make huge sacrifices and not sure I could have done it at a different life stage.)
November 23, 2023 at 10:45 AM
Looking for working-class people who quit their PhDs. If this is you, could we please have a chat? It's for Common Knowledge Substack. Thanks so much! (As for me, I'm conflicted. Glad I have mine now, but had to make huge sacrifices and not sure I could have done it at a different life stage.)
Reposted by Paul Craddock
Coming Feb. 2024: A virtual chat w/ @pwcraddock.bsky.social & @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social! This is our 1st AUTHORS HOSTING AUTHORS event & we're SO excited! It's a VIP show so make sure you're signed up: VIP info: annual www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-mem... & monthly www.patreon.com/PeculiarBook...
November 15, 2023 at 11:23 PM
Coming Feb. 2024: A virtual chat w/ @pwcraddock.bsky.social & @drlindseyfitz.bsky.social! This is our 1st AUTHORS HOSTING AUTHORS event & we're SO excited! It's a VIP show so make sure you're signed up: VIP info: annual www.eventbrite.com/e/annual-mem... & monthly www.patreon.com/PeculiarBook...
Reposted by Paul Craddock
We want to make the Peculiar Book Club as welcoming as possible so if you have any questions about joining, taking part in our Live Author Chats, or joining the paid VIP levels, reply/leave a comment & let us know! We'll put together an FAQ with answers because, honestly, we want YOU as a member! 💙📚
November 15, 2023 at 2:52 AM
We want to make the Peculiar Book Club as welcoming as possible so if you have any questions about joining, taking part in our Live Author Chats, or joining the paid VIP levels, reply/leave a comment & let us know! We'll put together an FAQ with answers because, honestly, we want YOU as a member! 💙📚
Reposted by Paul Craddock
The word 'scientist' was coined in 1834 ... as a joke! Read the story on my first ever substack column!
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
November 10, 2023 at 1:33 PM
The word 'scientist' was coined in 1834 ... as a joke! Read the story on my first ever substack column!
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
The word 'scientist' was coined in 1834 ... as a joke! Read the story on my first ever substack column!
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
November 10, 2023 at 1:33 PM
The word 'scientist' was coined in 1834 ... as a joke! Read the story on my first ever substack column!
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
open.substack.com/pub/paulcrad...
Came out as working class a few years ago. Since been the 'lived experience' voice a few times (which I found means you're not allowed real expertise or analysis!) So, started a Substack, Common Knowledge, embracing working-class heritage while writing about history!
paulcraddock.substack.com/about
paulcraddock.substack.com/about
November 10, 2023 at 1:15 PM
Came out as working class a few years ago. Since been the 'lived experience' voice a few times (which I found means you're not allowed real expertise or analysis!) So, started a Substack, Common Knowledge, embracing working-class heritage while writing about history!
paulcraddock.substack.com/about
paulcraddock.substack.com/about
Hello BlueSky friends! Here's the 'messenger hare' carving at Beverley Minster in Yorkshire (dated about 1330). It supposedly inspired Lewis Carroll's White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland
October 20, 2023 at 5:54 PM
Hello BlueSky friends! Here's the 'messenger hare' carving at Beverley Minster in Yorkshire (dated about 1330). It supposedly inspired Lewis Carroll's White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland