Edward Jenner carried out the first successful smallpox vaccination and overcame early expert scepticism before winning acceptance for his method. Here he explains what he did. Continue reading Edward Jenner and smallpox vaccination – 1796
Category Archives: 17th and 18th Centuries
Funeral of George II – 1760
Horace Walpole’s account of the funeral of George II in 1760 is a mix of pathos and bathos, both sad and and the ridiculous. Continue reading Funeral of George II – 1760
On board a slave ship – 1750s
Olaudah Equiano gave an account of being taken into slavery which strongly influenced the abolitionist movement. This is his story, written after he settled as a free man in England. Continue reading On board a slave ship – 1750s
Jacobite armies seize Manchester – 1745
When Jacobite armies seized Manchester in 1745, Elizabeth Byrom was there to record the event. Continue reading Jacobite armies seize Manchester – 1745
Daniel Defoe visits Glasgow – 1707
Daniel Defoe visited Glasgow in 1707 as an agent of the English government, but his description of the city shows that he was quite taken with what he found there. Continue reading Daniel Defoe visits Glasgow – 1707
Samuel Pepys’ Christmas – 1662
Samuel Pepys’ Christmas in 1662 was spent, as usual, in London. His diary gives a flavour of the day. Continue reading Samuel Pepys’ Christmas – 1662
Charles II restored to the throne – 1660
When Charles II returned to London to reclaim his thrown in 1660, the diarist John Evelyn was on hand to record events. Continue reading Charles II restored to the throne – 1660
Oliver Cromwell on the Battle of Marston Moor – 1644
After the Battle of Marston Moor, Oliver Cromwell had the unpleasant duty of having to tell his brother-in-law of the death of his eldest son. This is what he wrote. Continue reading Oliver Cromwell on the Battle of Marston Moor – 1644
Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes confesses – 1605
Guy Fawkes signed two confessions to his part in the Gunpowder plot of 1605. This is what he wrote. Continue reading Gunpowder Plot: Guy Fawkes confesses – 1605