One of the pleasures of history is going back to your original sources and finding something new. In this case it was an interview with Professor Jimmy Williamson way back in 2007. Jimmy’s earlier career as a tuberculosis (TB) physician… Read More ›
medical and nursing
An exceptional Irish nurse
Hannah “Nancy” O’Driscoll was remarkable in many ways but like most nurses from the last century she remains largely unknown. She was a nurse midwife with the Frontier Nursing Service in Kentucky which had been modelled on the Highlands and… Read More ›
When a Great Dane was Top Dog
As the Second World War was reaching is destructive climax, the holy grail of medical research was finally found – in Gothenburg. Tuberculosis (TB) had wreaked havoc on humankind for millennia. Huge efforts were made to find a cure after… Read More ›
Women and Edinburgh banks – a New Town daunder
You wouldn’t really know it was there. But it’s worth seeking out. Walk in to the RBS West End branch at 142 Princes Street and take a look at the two display panels on the right. They chronicle its launch… Read More ›
Old Bill, Black Angels and Gertie and Jamini
Welcome to my first newsletter of 2024… it takes the theme of unheard voices and unsung heroes…. Old Bill Old Bill (left) and Thomas Rafferty (right) He was one of the best-known British characters from World War One. Artist Bruce… Read More ›
History Company newsletter (3)
TB sources This is a special edition of the newsletter with a few short films and other source material on tuberculosis. I prepared this for a talk before Gullane and Dirleton History Society – a terrific group (annual membership is… Read More ›
Speaking the Unspeakable
It struck on October 23, 1942.There was no warning. For families across Britain it was like any other Friday night settling around a cosy coal fire listening to the BBC Home Service with its cheery wartime distractions: a concert from… Read More ›
Coughs and Sneezes
Whoever thought it up deserves a medal. Few catchphrases last a century and still resonate with the public. “Coughs and Sneezes Spread Diseases” originated in the 1918 influenza pandemic to support a US Public Health Service campaign. It was tagged… Read More ›
Call the Midwife Christmas Special (2)
Part one of this quiz was about nurses. This is part two aimed more at film and TV buffs. CtM was really well filmed – something new for the Hebrides? Nope. Two of the greatest cinematographers cut the their teeth… Read More ›
Call the Midwife Christmas special
Tens of millions around the world will tune in to the Call the Midwife special on Christmas Day. It’s set in the Outer Hebrides in late 1964. Here’s part one of a wee quiz to tease out the history. Part… Read More ›
The History Company 