People

  • Jul292023

    The suicide of Vincent van Gogh – 29 July 1890

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    On 29 July 1890, Vincent van Gogh, an unknown 37-year-old Dutchman, died of a gunshot wound in Auvers-sur-Oise. Why did he commit suicide?

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  • Dec232018

    Vincent van Gogh mutilates his ear – 23 December 1888

    On this day in 1888 in Arles in southern France, Vincent van Gogh performed the most infamous act of self-mutilation…

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  • Mar082018
    International Women's Day

    International Women’s Day

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    Today is International Women’s Day, a day when women all over the world celebrate their achievements. And I’m not just…

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  • Feb142018

    The death of Captain James Cook – 14 February 1779

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    “Do just once what others say you can’t do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again.” Whatever…

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  • Jan132018

    Guns ‘n’ roses: the murder of Joan Root – 13 January 2006

    On this day in 2006, 69-year-old Joan Root lay alone bleeding to death from gunshot wounds at her home on…

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  • Jan102017
    Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus

    The death of Carl Linnaeus – 10 January 1778

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    The Bible, Genesis 2:20, states: “And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and…

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  • Aug112016

    The death of Jane Digby – 11 August 1881

    Here’s a bodice-ripping love story of sex and adventure: the story of Jane Elizabeth Digby, Lady Ellenborough. She died on…

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  • Jul132016
    Frida Kahlo

    The death of Frida Kahlo – 13 July 1954

    “They thought I was a Surrealist, but I wasn’t. I never painted dreams. I painted my own reality.”

    Artist Frida Kahlo was born in 1907, the daughter of Hungarian Jewish father and indigenous Mexican mother….

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  • Feb102016
    A Shakespeare triptych

    The Shakespeare triptych

    Three paintings in praise of Shakespeare: 1 a map of Europe with the plays shown in their approximate location, 2.…

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  • Dec092015

    The death of Mary Leakey – 9 December 1996

    No matter who we are and what we think, the beautiful truth is that we are all children of Africa.…

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