Claire Cock-Starkey
Joined: Nov 3, 2015
Claire Cock-Starkey is a writer and editor based in the UK. Her latest book, The Book Lovers' Miscellany, was published in January 2018. Visit her at www.nonfictioness.com.
10 Historical First Impressions of Animals and Plants
13 Facts About the Black Death
The Surprising Origin of the Word ‘Morgue’
10 Facts About Hadrian’s Wall, the Roman Empire’s Northern Frontier
Uncover the story of Hadrian’s Wall and take a fascinating dive into life at the Roman Empire’s northern frontier.
10 Facts About L’Anse aux Meadows, North America’s Only Viking Ruins
Discover the mysteries of L’Anse aux Meadows, the only confirmed Viking settlement in North America.
8 Trade Routes That Shaped World History
Whether they carried salt, incense, or tea, traders on these eight historic roads helped make the world as we know it.
20 Traditional Gift-Giving Superstitions
If you want to avoid bad luck this holiday season, don't give knives, hankies, or peacock feathers, but do give coal.
10 of the World’s Rarest Gemstones
They may not be as “precious” as diamonds or emeralds, but these scarce gems are just as valuable—if not more so.
8 Victorian Scientists Who Investigated Ghosts
Some 19th-century scientists embraced psychical research, while others tried to debunk the sensational stories.
11 Miniature Mischief-Makers From World Folklore
The milk has curdled? Must be a brownie. Someone drank all your wine? Your cellar might be infested with clurichauns.
7 Ships That Disappeared Without a Trace
The true fate of many of these ships will never be known, but speculation suggests that storms, piracy, mutiny, accidental bombing, and even the attack of a giant squid could be responsible for their vanishings.
The Lure of Laudanum, the Victorians’ Favorite Drug
In an era before modern medicine, laudanum and other opium derivatives became seen as wonder drugs.
The Rivals Who Cracked the Code of Ancient Egypt’s Hieroglyphs
Following the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, two scholars battled each other to decipher the mysterious Egyptian writing system.
10 of the Worst Jobs in the Victorian Era
Next time you complain about your boring desk job, be glad you're not a tosher or a leech collector.
10 Writers and Artists Who Wanted Their Work Destroyed
Whether from a lack of confidence, concerns over sensitive contents, a change of direction, or simply a fit of pique, a number of artists and writers have destroyed their own work.