Jane Alexander

Joined: Apr 26, 2021

Jane Alexander is a freelance writer based in the UK. She focuses on literature, history, and the visual arts, and has previously written for Londonist, among other publications.

“Itsy Bitsy Spider”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

Copper and Tod in the 1981 Disney adaptation of ‘The Fox and the Hound.’

10 Fantastic Fictional Foxes

On a cruise ship, the name ‘Oscar’ has a very serious meaning.

14 Secret Code Words You Might Want to Know

How Ireland Became the ‘Emerald Isle’

These spiders and their webs aren’t meant to be scary.

Why Ukrainians Hang Spider Webs on Their Christmas Trees

The Eastern European tradition is rooted in a beloved folktale often known as 'The Legend of the Christmas Spider.'

A dreidel and pile of chocolate gelt are a common sight during Hanukkah celebrations.

The Surprising History of the Hanukkah Dreidel

It’s often said the dreidel was a way Jewish people communicated their faith during ancient times of oppression. But the Hanukkah game is actually a lot more recent.

You’ll want to add ‘The Deep,’ My Heart Is a Chainsaw,’ ‘Our Share of Night,’ and ‘The Between’ to your reading list.

11 Contemporary Horror Authors to Read (Who Aren’t Stephen King)

If you want to expand your horror reading beyond Stephen King, look no further than this list, which features everyone from Mariana Enriquez to Stephen Graham Jones and beyond.

An Evening Seance Newspaper Illustration.

10 Facts about the History of Spiritualism

From spiritualism's beginnings at the Fox cottage to ectoplasm, so-called spirit photography, and beyond, here's what you need to know about this controversial cultural phenomenon.

'The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane' by John Quidor (1801–1881).

6 Terrifying Tales of Headless Horsemen

The headless horseman from ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ is just one of several headless horsemen to haunt the globe.

The Noteworthy Fears of 10 Famous Figures

“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself”—unless you also fear the number 13. Or insects. Or being buried alive. Here are the fears of just a few of history’s most notable figures, from FDR to Dalí.

7 Facts About Lorraine Hansberry

By the age of 34, Lorraine Hansberry was already the author of two plays that had appeared on Broadway. She should have been on course for a long and successful career—but tragically, that wouldn't happen. Still, her legacy has endured.

7 Fascinating Facts About Jhumpa Lahiri

Nilanjana Sudeshna Lahiri, otherwise known as Jhumpa Lahiri, first came to prominence with her award-winning 1999 debut, the short story collection 'Interpreter of Maladies.' Here's what you need to know about 'The Namesake' author.

Isamu Noguchi at the Noguchi Garden Museum in New York City.

8 Facts about Isamu Noguchi

Isamu Noguchi (1904–1988) was one of the most influential designers and sculptors of the 20th century.

The Crown Jewels include more than just crowns.

11 Facts About the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom

Many of the precious pieces date back hundreds of years and are immersed in history—as well as controversy.

10 Fascinating Facts About Mary Wollstonecraft

Mary Wollstonecraft broke new ground in the battle for women’s rights with the publication of 'A Vindication of the Rights of Woman'—but there's far more to her legacy than just one book.

7 Surprising Facts about Camilla, Queen Consort

Despite the decades of public attention, there are some aspects of Camilla’s life that have been less well documented.