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Born on this day in 1820, Florence Nightingale became one of the most influential figures in the history of modern nursing.

Today also marks International Nurses Day, celebrated annually on Nightingale’s birthday in recognition of her lasting impact on healthcare and nursing practice around the world.

Known as “The Lady with the Lamp”, her work transformed hospital sanitation, patient care and the role of nurses in medicine; a legacy that continues to shape healthcare today.

#FlorenceNightingale #InternationalNursesDay #OnThisDay #BritishLibrary #History #Nursing

Born on this day in 1926, Sir David Attenborough has spent a lifetime inspiring curiosity about the natural world.

In this recording from the British Library sound archive, he reflects on when that fascination began:
‘It started as long as I can remember…’

Over the years, the Library has had the privilege of working with him across exhibitions, events and sound archive projects; celebrating the power of sound, storytelling and the natural world.

Happy 100th birthday, Sir David.

Audio: David Attenborough interviewed by Elizabeth Brett, Oral History of Recorded Sound, 1984, collection reference C90/31. © British Library.

'Knowledge itself is power' – Francis Bacon, 1597.

400 years ago, English lawyer, royal advisor and philosopher Francis Bacon attempted to redesign knowledge with 'The Great Restoration'.

See his works on display in our Treasures Gallery.

Francis Bacon, ‘Novum Organum’. Second edition. Amsterdam, 1660. 721.a.17.
Francis Bacon, ‘Sylva sylvarum..’, 1627. 982.f.14.

#BritishLibrary #Library

'Once upon a bicycle, so they say, a Jolly Postman came one day...' 📮

The Jolly Postman is on his rounds! From fairy tale favourites to charming letters and artwork, discover some of the stories behind this beloved children's classic at the British Library and the Postal Museum ✨ 

Fairy Tales is on at the British Library until 23 August 2026.
The Jolly Postman is at The Postal Museum until January 2027.

On loan from the Ahlberg family
Images © Janet and Allan Ahlberg courtesy of The Postal Museum

#BritishLibrary #PostalMuseum #Exhibition #JollyPostman

Born on this day in 1759, Mary Wollstonecraft was writing about equality, education and independence long before feminism had a name.

Published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman remains one of the most influential works in the history of feminist thought.

Her words continue to challenge, inspire and resonate today.

#MaryWollstonecraft #OnThisDay #WomensHistory #BritishLibrary #Feminism #History

Born on this day in 1759, Mary Wollstonecraft was writing about equality, education and independence long before feminism had a name.

Published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman remains one of the most influential works in the history of feminist thought.

Her words continue to challenge, inspire and resonate today.

#MaryWollstonecraft #OnThisDay #WomensHistory #BritishLibrary #Feminism #History

Born on this day in 1759, Mary Wollstonecraft was writing about equality, education and independence long before feminism had a name.

Published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman remains one of the most influential works in the history of feminist thought.

Her words continue to challenge, inspire and resonate today.

#MaryWollstonecraft #OnThisDay #WomensHistory #BritishLibrary #Feminism #History

Born on this day in 1759, Mary Wollstonecraft was writing about equality, education and independence long before feminism had a name.

Published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman remains one of the most influential works in the history of feminist thought.

Her words continue to challenge, inspire and resonate today.

#MaryWollstonecraft #OnThisDay #WomensHistory #BritishLibrary #Feminism #History

Born on this day in 1759, Mary Wollstonecraft was writing about equality, education and independence long before feminism had a name.

Published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman remains one of the most influential works in the history of feminist thought.

Her words continue to challenge, inspire and resonate today.

#MaryWollstonecraft #OnThisDay #WomensHistory #BritishLibrary #Feminism #History

Born on this day in 1759, Mary Wollstonecraft was writing about equality, education and independence long before feminism had a name.

Published in 1792, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman remains one of the most influential works in the history of feminist thought.

Her words continue to challenge, inspire and resonate today.

#MaryWollstonecraft #OnThisDay #WomensHistory #BritishLibrary #Feminism #History

Did you know you can explore digitised newspapers via the British Library, @findmypast , The British Newspaper Archive and many public libraries around the country?

The British Library’s Lead Curator for the News and Moving Image Collection sat down with Findmypast to discuss how easy it is to start using them in your research.

Have you made any fascinating discoveries using our newspaper collection?

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

This English Language Day we’re celebrating the unsung heroes of lexicography.

Before Samuel Johnson’s dictionary of 1755 came Henry Cockeram’s English Dictionarie Of 1623, focusing on ‘hard' or 'unusual' words. Well, these obscure words will certainly give you a run for your money.

Cockeram's dictionary included hundreds of words that were not recorded elsewhere at the time and were never recorded again after the publication.

Note that ‘cow boy’ referred to a young lad who keeps cattle from wandering out of an enclosure 🐑

#BritishLibrary #Library #Words #Language #EnglishLanguage

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

Born on this day in 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was a thinker far ahead of his time.

From flying machines to detailed anatomical studies, his notebooks reveal a mind constantly observing, questioning and imagining what could be.

These sketches offer a glimpse into a world where art and science were never separate; only possibilities waiting to be explored.

Arundel MS 263

#LeonardoDaVinci #OnThisDay #Renaissance #ArtAndScience #BritishLibrary

A 400-year-old plea for tolerance, still resonating today.

This manuscript of The Book of Sir Thomas More, held in our collection, contains what is believed to be the only surviving literary text in William Shakespeare’s own handwriting.

The speech, brought back into the spotlight by Sir Ian McKellen, calls for compassion towards migrants.

A message that continues to echo across centuries.

Harley 7368, f.9

Published on this day in 1925, The Great Gatsby remains one of the defining works of 20th-century literature.

From reflections on love and ambition to the illusion of the American Dream, its words continue to resonate a century later.

#TheGreatGatsby #FScottFitzgerald #OnThisDay #BritishLibrary #ClassicBooks

English Romantic poet William Wordsworth was born on this day in 1770.

Written in 1804 and first published in Poems in Two Volumes (1807), ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ remains one of Wordsworth’s most celebrated works.

This manuscript shows the poem in Wordsworth’s own hand, complete with notes for the printer, including instructions to place it within the section “Moods of my own mind.”

‘I wandered lonely as a Cloud’

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high oer Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing Daffodils;
Along the Lake beneath the trees,
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.

The Waves beside them danced,
but they Outdid the sparkling Waves in glee:
A Poet could not but be gay
In such a laughing company:
I gaz’d – and gaz’d – but little thoughts
What wealth the shew to me had brought:

For oft when on my Couch I lie
In vacant, or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the blifs of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.

Who fancied what a pretty sight
This Rock would be if edged around
With living Snowdrops? circled bright!

#BritishLibrary #WilliamWordsworth #RomanticPoetry #Poetry #OnThisDay

English Romantic poet William Wordsworth was born on this day in 1770.

Written in 1804 and first published in Poems in Two Volumes (1807), ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’ remains one of Wordsworth’s most celebrated works.

This manuscript shows the poem in Wordsworth’s own hand, complete with notes for the printer, including instructions to place it within the section “Moods of my own mind.”

‘I wandered lonely as a Cloud’

I wandered lonely as a Cloud
That floats on high oer Vales and Hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd
A host of dancing Daffodils;
Along the Lake beneath the trees,
Ten thousand dancing in the breeze.

The Waves beside them danced,
but they Outdid the sparkling Waves in glee:
A Poet could not but be gay
In such a laughing company:
I gaz’d – and gaz’d – but little thoughts
What wealth the shew to me had brought:

For oft when on my Couch I lie
In vacant, or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the blifs of solitude,
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the Daffodils.

Who fancied what a pretty sight
This Rock would be if edged around
With living Snowdrops? circled bright!

#BritishLibrary #WilliamWordsworth #RomanticPoetry #Poetry #OnThisDay

Take a closer look at the instruments of the Passion of Christ in this 15th-century collection of devotional works.

The Arma Christi manuscript is one of our major acquisitions from Longleat House.

📜 Add MS 89792

#BritishLibrary #Library #MedievalManuscript #Manuscript #Medieval