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firsttimeuser: Christian Borchert. Self-portrait, 1975
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blackandwtf: Mid 1950s Note the cat on his lap. From the submitter: “I hooked a coat hanger over his collar to form shoulders, and newspaper stuffed into his trousers.”
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fuckyeahhistorycrushes: Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll. The author of the Alice books. Writer, photographer, mathematician, philosopher. I don’t like him for his looks, although I do find his appearance interesting; he had a naturally solemn face that looks like his entire family’s just died, and reportedly grey/blue eyes that I’d like to see in color. I have a historical crush on him because somehow, despite a stammer and weak chest and a plague of poor health throughout his life, he was able find purchase in pursuits of the mind. He wound up writing my favorite book of all time, and in doing so revealed his amazing imagination and ingenuity (the original version was made up on the spot when he was entertaining young Alice Liddell and her sisters). During his lifetime, he apparently gave the impression of being very conservative and reserved, but his investment in research, philosophy, and different religions paints a different picture. I personally think this man is absolutely fascinating, and if I could have one dead person over for dinner to pick their brain, it’d be him.
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tuesday-johnson: Today in American history: November 3, 1883 Charles Boles, one of the most notorious stagecoach robbers during the 1870s and 1880s, completed his last stagecoach robbery, leaving a laundry-marked handkerchief that eventually lead to his capture. Boles was a first generation immigrant, an all-American man who participated in the California Gold Rush, as well the American Civil War. When the war was over, he headed out to Motana for adventure, but subsequently got into debt with Wells, Fargo and Company. Beginning in 1875, Boles began robbing Wells Fargo stagecoaches under the name “Black Bart”, who was a dime novel character pulling the same robberies. Overall, Black Bart preyed on 29 stagecoaches between 1875 and 1883. What made Boles so interesting was the politeness used during the hold-ups. Twice he left poetry at the scene. In addition, he was never one to swear and always known to use “please” and “thanks you”. via
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tuesday-johnson: ca. 1898, a photograph of French serial killer Joseph Vacher in his signature white rabbit-fur hat, which he claimed symbolized purity. Between 1894 and 1897, ex-military officer Joseph Vacher committed vicious and indiscriminate murders throughout southern France. Some credit him with up to twenty-three murders. Not only did he often eviscerate his victims, occasionally he defiled the victims post-humorously. Vacher claimed he was doing God’s bidding, in addition, he claimed insanity—thus irresponsibility. On the eve of 1899, however, Vacher was executed at the guillotine. If you’re interested, here is the New York Times article from 1899 announcing the “French ‘Ripper’s’” execution. In addition, a great book I recently finished by Douglas Starr titled “The Killer of Little Shepherds” will provide an awesome history of 19th century forensics and the Vacher case.
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tuesday-johnson: ca. 1852, Governor Nathaniel P. Banks via the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Southworth and Hawes Collection
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tuesday-johnson: ca. 1844, [James (Sandy) Linton with his sons and his boat, Newhaven], David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson via the Royal Photograph Society, National Media Society
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