The 18th-Century Search for the Soul
Is the soul immortal, or does it die with the body? At the turn of the 18th century, amateur theologians like Henry Layton began to speculate, much to experts’ chagrin.
Enlightenment
‘The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere’ review
With the passing of Jürgen Habermas in March 2026, we return to the book that established his reputation: The Structural Transformation of the Public Sphere (1962).
Massacre at Glencoe
On 13 February 1692 the Macdonalds of Glencoe were put to the sword by troops loyal to William III. Nobody was held to account.
The Contagious Taste of Cancer
Early modern cancer experiments such as that undertaken by English surgeon Samuel Smith privileged the senses, but the effects could be fatal.
Fight and Flight in the Thirty Years War
The Thirty Years War devastated continental Europe, killing millions and creating as many refugees. How did they experience the conflict?
Understanding the Northern Lights
When the aurora borealis appeared in the skies of 18th-century Europe, Enlightenment scientists first turned to history to understand it.
On the Spot: Richard Butterwick-Pawlikowski
‘What is the most common misconception about my field? That “anarchic” and “fanatical” Poland was partitioned by its more “enlightened”, “tolerant” absolutist neighbours.’
The Invention of Microbiology
On 9 October 1676 Antonie van Leeuwenhoek – the ‘Father of Microbiology’ – presented his findings to the Royal Society.
Written in the Stars: How Old is China?
Chinese astronomers and the European Jesuits who worked alongside them found evidence of China’s antiquity in the heavens. Others were sceptical: how old was China really?
God’s Machines: Descartes and Nature
How should we see the natural world? For Descartes it was a mechanism, but a wondrous one.