What a spectacular picture of the chapel and the Gibbs building. Somehow the detail of the "punters" adds so much, perhaps because they show the scale.
The relationships between aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews can be a powerful one, particularly when the aunt or uncle does not have their own children. Oner of my readers mentioned that in a comment.
Thank you David, and I have to admit that it was my talented husband who took the photo (but I was with him and asked him to, so does that make me a director?) I agree with you about the people punting adding human scale and movement, particularly when seen against the immutable majesty of the ancient buildings and the clouds massing dramatically above. And you make a very good point about the relationship of childless aunts and uncles to their siblings' children being a powerful one - your own recent post about revising your view of those who remain childless is inspiring in all sorts of ways!
Wonderful as always Ann. Loved the picture of the cows and the picture of Gibbs. So much interesting history. I love my country and its vast open spaces but because it is such a young nation there are very few historical buildings older than 300 years. So many memories those spaces contain where people have lived and worked for generations.
Thank you Rona, I was very taken by that evening light over King's - and Lettice Ramsey's informal snaps are particularly lovely, filled with life and movement. Glad you have mentioned Angelica's memoir as I need to get hold of a copy urgently!
That picture of the sun over King's Chapel is just phenomenal. This post has reminded me that I've been wanting to visit Bletchley Park for a long time and I look forward to hearing more of the Bletchley women. A favourite book of 2024 so far is Erasure by Percival Everett. It's made me discover a great writer and now I can't wait to see him on Thursday at a talk to present his new book James.
Oh, the new book by Percival Everett sounds brilliant, Cristina! I read a glowing review in the TLS this week -and it sounds as if 'James' is going to be one of the books of the year. Hope you enjoy the talk. Like you, I've never visited Bletchley Park but it's definitely on my list, especially after the recent research into how many Cambridge women were involved.
Funnily enough a colleague shared yesterday she had been to Bletchley Park for the first time during the Easter holidays so I took it as my sign to visit and shared your post with her. And yes, James seems to be gathering impressive reviews so looking forward to the talk. I have to thank a frien for having flagged it to me.
I enjoy your smart posts so much. I think my favorite read of 2024 so far has been "What Is the Grass: My Life with Walt Whitman" by Mark Doty. You might need to listen to it or buy an ebook but its worth reading in any form you can find it. I did the audiobook and it was smart, gorgeous and fun.
Thank you Marjorie! I have subscribed, and look forward to finding out more about your book recommendations... and I particularly love a good audiobook (preferably read by the author him/herself) to keep me company when out walking the dog, so that's a great suggestion.
Thx for the shout out! And I loved hearing about these women photographers, who were new to me. There is something so moving about old photographs— the people suspended in time, but here conveyed with so much intimacy and immediacy. Thanks for all this research and connection—
Many thanks Victoria, I was inspired by your own photography post to think about Lettice Ramsey again and the medium she used. I do feel she's been rather overlooked, partly because her subjects were so famous, and partly because Helen Muspratt is the better known of the pair. Like you, I enjoy thinking about these women's relationship to their subjects, and Lettice's friendship with Julian Bell lasted much longer than their affair.
It's a great story, isn't it, Jill - and how amazing that the women kept it secret for all those years. Kind of annoying their contribution wasn't recognized while they were still alive, though, and many couldn't get decent jobs after the war.
One of my favorite things about modernist history is all the amazing names. "Lettice Ramsey" is the cutest, coolest name. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos!
Thank you!! My middle name is actually Ann, though mine has an E on the end (Anne Shirley is the inspiration!). And yes to Wharton -- we're going to embark on "The Age of Innocence" together in a few weeks. I'm putting all the details together this week! :)
You could still visit the Ramsey & Muspratt studio in Post Office Terrace in the late 70s or early 80s and order reprints from their amazing collection of glass negatives. The collection is now at the National Portrait Gallery.
Amazingly the studio is still there, though long shuttered up - and much of the glass plate collection is in the Cambridgeshire Libraries now. Hoping there might be another major Ramsey & Muspratt exhibition one of these days!
Frederick Lavington was a Cambridge economist of the early 20th century, he sadly died young, but wrote some interesting work on the trade cycle and capital markets. He was a major part of my thesis work. I have no idea if he was connected to the place, but maybe way back in history?
What a lovely pic that is of Virginia and Angelika...it could be a still from 'The Hours'
Yes, it's nice isn't it, Janey - showing a very gentle side of Woolf!
That’s what I thought too! I wonder if Michael Cunningham drew on this photo for the scene with Woolf and the children…
Anne,
What a spectacular picture of the chapel and the Gibbs building. Somehow the detail of the "punters" adds so much, perhaps because they show the scale.
The relationships between aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews can be a powerful one, particularly when the aunt or uncle does not have their own children. Oner of my readers mentioned that in a comment.
Thank you David, and I have to admit that it was my talented husband who took the photo (but I was with him and asked him to, so does that make me a director?) I agree with you about the people punting adding human scale and movement, particularly when seen against the immutable majesty of the ancient buildings and the clouds massing dramatically above. And you make a very good point about the relationship of childless aunts and uncles to their siblings' children being a powerful one - your own recent post about revising your view of those who remain childless is inspiring in all sorts of ways!
I give you full directorial credit!
Many thanks David - to be fair, he does have a better camera...
Wonderful as always Ann. Loved the picture of the cows and the picture of Gibbs. So much interesting history. I love my country and its vast open spaces but because it is such a young nation there are very few historical buildings older than 300 years. So many memories those spaces contain where people have lived and worked for generations.
What a beautiful post, Ann. I enjoyed reading about the wonderfully-named Lettice Ramsey, and loved your accompanying images. Thank you!
I am away in the Brecon Beacons and the rain is going beyond 40 days and nights! Utterly torrential...it is lovely to see these images full of light.
Thanks for the kind mention Ann!
My pleasure, Dan. I love what you say about how readers' comments are so appreciated by writers - they really do make my day!
Yes!!!
The images here are particularly lovely--the light in your photos, Angelica with Virginia. I'm a fan of Angelica's poignant memoir.
Thank you Rona, I was very taken by that evening light over King's - and Lettice Ramsey's informal snaps are particularly lovely, filled with life and movement. Glad you have mentioned Angelica's memoir as I need to get hold of a copy urgently!
That picture of the sun over King's Chapel is just phenomenal. This post has reminded me that I've been wanting to visit Bletchley Park for a long time and I look forward to hearing more of the Bletchley women. A favourite book of 2024 so far is Erasure by Percival Everett. It's made me discover a great writer and now I can't wait to see him on Thursday at a talk to present his new book James.
Oh, the new book by Percival Everett sounds brilliant, Cristina! I read a glowing review in the TLS this week -and it sounds as if 'James' is going to be one of the books of the year. Hope you enjoy the talk. Like you, I've never visited Bletchley Park but it's definitely on my list, especially after the recent research into how many Cambridge women were involved.
Funnily enough a colleague shared yesterday she had been to Bletchley Park for the first time during the Easter holidays so I took it as my sign to visit and shared your post with her. And yes, James seems to be gathering impressive reviews so looking forward to the talk. I have to thank a frien for having flagged it to me.
Wonderful post! Look forward to hearing more about the Bletchley women!
Thanks Sarah!
I enjoy your smart posts so much. I think my favorite read of 2024 so far has been "What Is the Grass: My Life with Walt Whitman" by Mark Doty. You might need to listen to it or buy an ebook but its worth reading in any form you can find it. I did the audiobook and it was smart, gorgeous and fun.
Thank you Marjorie! I have subscribed, and look forward to finding out more about your book recommendations... and I particularly love a good audiobook (preferably read by the author him/herself) to keep me company when out walking the dog, so that's a great suggestion.
Thx for the shout out! And I loved hearing about these women photographers, who were new to me. There is something so moving about old photographs— the people suspended in time, but here conveyed with so much intimacy and immediacy. Thanks for all this research and connection—
Many thanks Victoria, I was inspired by your own photography post to think about Lettice Ramsey again and the medium she used. I do feel she's been rather overlooked, partly because her subjects were so famous, and partly because Helen Muspratt is the better known of the pair. Like you, I enjoy thinking about these women's relationship to their subjects, and Lettice's friendship with Julian Bell lasted much longer than their affair.
Ooooh more about the alumnae of Bletchley....can't wait!
It's a great story, isn't it, Jill - and how amazing that the women kept it secret for all those years. Kind of annoying their contribution wasn't recognized while they were still alive, though, and many couldn't get decent jobs after the war.
And on this side of the pond I think Lisa Rogak has a new book coming out soon about the women of WWII in this espionage work.
Oh, wonderful!
One of my favorite things about modernist history is all the amazing names. "Lettice Ramsey" is the cutest, coolest name. Thank you for sharing those beautiful photos!
I love the name (yours too, Haley!) and enjoy your own writing very much. Any more Wharton books planned?
Thank you!! My middle name is actually Ann, though mine has an E on the end (Anne Shirley is the inspiration!). And yes to Wharton -- we're going to embark on "The Age of Innocence" together in a few weeks. I'm putting all the details together this week! :)
You could still visit the Ramsey & Muspratt studio in Post Office Terrace in the late 70s or early 80s and order reprints from their amazing collection of glass negatives. The collection is now at the National Portrait Gallery.
Amazingly the studio is still there, though long shuttered up - and much of the glass plate collection is in the Cambridgeshire Libraries now. Hoping there might be another major Ramsey & Muspratt exhibition one of these days!
I lived in Cambridge in the mid-late 70s, but don't remember that...what a shame
I discovered it quite late (and it was quite hidden) I still have a couple of prints (somewhere!)
And 'Lavington'?? I grew up near the village of Lavington...
Frederick Lavington was a Cambridge economist of the early 20th century, he sadly died young, but wrote some interesting work on the trade cycle and capital markets. He was a major part of my thesis work. I have no idea if he was connected to the place, but maybe way back in history?
I got so stocked reading about these photographers! Truly a great article and research. Well done!
Many thanks - I'm just so impressed by these Bletchley women and the work they did. Good that their contribution is being acknowledged at last.