Beth Wyatt
@wyattbeth.bsky.social
Cultural historian of modern Britain. PhD researcher in First World War studies. Interests including film and TV, gender, emotions, country houses. Teaching museum studies this semester.
Had a lovely time in Newcastle celebrating a friend's viva success
(proof that completing the PhD is possible 👀)
(proof that completing the PhD is possible 👀)
January 24, 2026 at 8:28 PM
Had a lovely time in Newcastle celebrating a friend's viva success
(proof that completing the PhD is possible 👀)
(proof that completing the PhD is possible 👀)
Not jealous at all of the person who gets to do this
January 20, 2026 at 9:59 PM
Not jealous at all of the person who gets to do this
It'd be rude to visit Apsley House and not take a photo of Napoleon
November 2, 2025 at 6:52 PM
It'd be rude to visit Apsley House and not take a photo of Napoleon
Current library haul ✨️
(Yeah I'm still trying to get back into reading for fun, thanks PhD)
(Yeah I'm still trying to get back into reading for fun, thanks PhD)
October 28, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Current library haul ✨️
(Yeah I'm still trying to get back into reading for fun, thanks PhD)
(Yeah I'm still trying to get back into reading for fun, thanks PhD)
One for the Cary Grant fans.
North by Northwest, dir. Alfred Hitchcock (1959).
📸 IMBD
North by Northwest, dir. Alfred Hitchcock (1959).
📸 IMBD
October 24, 2025 at 1:52 PM
One for the Cary Grant fans.
North by Northwest, dir. Alfred Hitchcock (1959).
📸 IMBD
North by Northwest, dir. Alfred Hitchcock (1959).
📸 IMBD
Another great session with my film students today, this time on Bicycle Thieves (1948), and the question of reality in cinema.
The theme for the next two weeks is *very* up my street - moving images and narrative. (Let's see if I can sneak some First World War in)
The theme for the next two weeks is *very* up my street - moving images and narrative. (Let's see if I can sneak some First World War in)
October 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Another great session with my film students today, this time on Bicycle Thieves (1948), and the question of reality in cinema.
The theme for the next two weeks is *very* up my street - moving images and narrative. (Let's see if I can sneak some First World War in)
The theme for the next two weeks is *very* up my street - moving images and narrative. (Let's see if I can sneak some First World War in)
I had a lot of fun discussing The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) with my students this morning. Here are their one/two-word responses to the film
October 15, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I had a lot of fun discussing The Cabinet of Dr Caligari (1920) with my students this morning. Here are their one/two-word responses to the film
I'm so glad I was able to visit 'Heiress' at Kenwood before it closed. Featuring John Singer Sargent portraits of American women who married into the British aristocracy or upper classes 1870-1914. It did a great job of drawing out the personalities and life stories of so-called 'dollar princesses'.
October 14, 2025 at 11:35 AM
I'm so glad I was able to visit 'Heiress' at Kenwood before it closed. Featuring John Singer Sargent portraits of American women who married into the British aristocracy or upper classes 1870-1914. It did a great job of drawing out the personalities and life stories of so-called 'dollar princesses'.
Finally, it's Benedict's time (the best sibling imo)
October 13, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Finally, it's Benedict's time (the best sibling imo)
Second week of teaching film studies done. We discussed early cinema, particularly Méliès, and then experimental cinema from the 1920s.
I'm actually so pumped to watch The Cabinet of Caligari next week 🎬
I'm actually so pumped to watch The Cabinet of Caligari next week 🎬
October 8, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Second week of teaching film studies done. We discussed early cinema, particularly Méliès, and then experimental cinema from the 1920s.
I'm actually so pumped to watch The Cabinet of Caligari next week 🎬
I'm actually so pumped to watch The Cabinet of Caligari next week 🎬
When my music and museum worlds collide
October 3, 2025 at 8:07 AM
When my music and museum worlds collide
Last week I got acquainted with my academic home for the semester
September 29, 2025 at 7:39 AM
Last week I got acquainted with my academic home for the semester
My favourite pieces at the V&A are the panelling and ceiling of the music room at Norfolk House, another London townhouse which was demolished (1938, home of the Dukes of Norfolk).
(Image credits for this thread in alt text) 4/4
(Image credits for this thread in alt text) 4/4
September 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
My favourite pieces at the V&A are the panelling and ceiling of the music room at Norfolk House, another London townhouse which was demolished (1938, home of the Dukes of Norfolk).
(Image credits for this thread in alt text) 4/4
(Image credits for this thread in alt text) 4/4
An office building was developed, which is extant. With a major focus of the film on whether aristocratic homes and owner lifestyles can survive in this era, it's not surprising that another noble townhouse is mentioned as lost, and the Crawleys reckon with whether they can keep Grantham House. 3/4
September 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
An office building was developed, which is extant. With a major focus of the film on whether aristocratic homes and owner lifestyles can survive in this era, it's not surprising that another noble townhouse is mentioned as lost, and the Crawleys reckon with whether they can keep Grantham House. 3/4
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set in the 1930s. Devonshire House was demolished in 1924, following its sale by the duke. The townhouse had sat empty since 1919 - having been offered to, and used by, the Red Cross during the First World War - and was sold by the duke the following year. 2/4
September 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is set in the 1930s. Devonshire House was demolished in 1924, following its sale by the duke. The townhouse had sat empty since 1919 - having been offered to, and used by, the Red Cross during the First World War - and was sold by the duke the following year. 2/4
Early on in the new Downton Abbey film, there's a mention of the demolition of Devonshire House, the Piccadilly townhouse of the Duke of Devonshire. Anna Bates (if my memory serves me right) comments that she and others of Downton's domestic staff have seen the 'new' building that replaced it. 1/4
September 16, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Early on in the new Downton Abbey film, there's a mention of the demolition of Devonshire House, the Piccadilly townhouse of the Duke of Devonshire. Anna Bates (if my memory serves me right) comments that she and others of Downton's domestic staff have seen the 'new' building that replaced it. 1/4
Always a pleasure to be back in Bloomsbury
September 10, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Always a pleasure to be back in Bloomsbury
Korean War medals in the Cold War Scotland exhibition at NMS.
On the left is the British Korea Medal, next to the United Nations Korea Medal (both dating to 1951). They were awarded to Lieutenant G. H. Cooles of the Royal Navy. The British medal depicts Hercules wrestling a hydra.
On the left is the British Korea Medal, next to the United Nations Korea Medal (both dating to 1951). They were awarded to Lieutenant G. H. Cooles of the Royal Navy. The British medal depicts Hercules wrestling a hydra.
August 27, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Korean War medals in the Cold War Scotland exhibition at NMS.
On the left is the British Korea Medal, next to the United Nations Korea Medal (both dating to 1951). They were awarded to Lieutenant G. H. Cooles of the Royal Navy. The British medal depicts Hercules wrestling a hydra.
On the left is the British Korea Medal, next to the United Nations Korea Medal (both dating to 1951). They were awarded to Lieutenant G. H. Cooles of the Royal Navy. The British medal depicts Hercules wrestling a hydra.
Ephemera in the Cold War Scotland exhibition at NMS (plus bonus cat) 🗃
August 27, 2025 at 7:24 PM
Ephemera in the Cold War Scotland exhibition at NMS (plus bonus cat) 🗃
Shakespeare Rediscovered: Durham's First Folio explores the conservation work which has taken place since the folio was returned, badly damaged, after a decade missing.
It was fascinating to see some of the clues to the folio's identity (see the handwritten 'Troilus & Cressida' in image two). 1/2
It was fascinating to see some of the clues to the folio's identity (see the handwritten 'Troilus & Cressida' in image two). 1/2
August 22, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Shakespeare Rediscovered: Durham's First Folio explores the conservation work which has taken place since the folio was returned, badly damaged, after a decade missing.
It was fascinating to see some of the clues to the folio's identity (see the handwritten 'Troilus & Cressida' in image two). 1/2
It was fascinating to see some of the clues to the folio's identity (see the handwritten 'Troilus & Cressida' in image two). 1/2
Took the day off PhD-ing
August 6, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Took the day off PhD-ing
As can be seen on this interpretation panel in the grounds of Belsay, the rock arch was inspired by ancient quarries at Syracuse, Sicily. 2/2
August 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
As can be seen on this interpretation panel in the grounds of Belsay, the rock arch was inspired by ancient quarries at Syracuse, Sicily. 2/2
I missed rhododendron season this year, but Belsay Hall's gardens were still looking gorgeous when I visited last month.
The picturesque quarry garden (second image) was created by owner Sir Charles Monck, who built the new hall. 1/2
The picturesque quarry garden (second image) was created by owner Sir Charles Monck, who built the new hall. 1/2
August 2, 2025 at 12:33 PM
I missed rhododendron season this year, but Belsay Hall's gardens were still looking gorgeous when I visited last month.
The picturesque quarry garden (second image) was created by owner Sir Charles Monck, who built the new hall. 1/2
The picturesque quarry garden (second image) was created by owner Sir Charles Monck, who built the new hall. 1/2