I enjoy the focus on unknown ordinary women in Cambridge, memorable because of being extraordinary. Audio or video don't appeal, too distracting from the writing.
Thank you Maria, that's very good to know. And I know what you mean about video/audio being distracting - or rather it's a separate thing from writing and reading (though I am partial to a good audiobook during long walks!).
I am especially interested in your well-researched articles on Cambridge women; there are few if any other places to learn about this topic. Thanks so much for all your work on this fascinating and important subject.
I'm enjoying all your posts but the link between Cambridge and bikes strikes a personal chord. It was In Cambridge that I really discovered a love of bikes which has stayed with me ever since.
There's a lot of literature about how the advent of the bicycle played a big part in liberating women, and its links with the 'Rational Dress' movement, but I have to confess I rode for the University Cycling Club in the mid-70s and there were very few women in the Club—none at all that I remember in my first year with them. Women's participation in cycling, whether competitive, recreational, or utility, is still a long way short of men's.
BTW, one star cyclist with a Cambridge connection is Emma Pooley (Trinity Hall 2001-2005), Olympic silver-medallist and World Champion in the time trial.
And if I haven't gone on too long already, one other Cambridge/bicycle related memory. A friend and I were standing with our bikes on King's Parade when we were passed by a guy in a wheelchair. We had to make space and as they passed the carer said something like 'how do they stay upright on such narrow tyres?' I'm pretty sure the guy would have known the answer, because as I only realised later, it was Stephen Hawking.
Thanks Jon, very pleased to hear you have good memories of cycling in Cambridge - and that you had a close encounter with the great Stephen Hawking. I guess the numbers of women at the university were fairly low in the 1970s, as colleges were only starting to go mixed at that time. I wonder if things have changed, cycling-wise in university clubs? Certainly pretty much everyone who lives in Cambridge cycles, women as much as men I would guess!
Thanks. Yes, I think only three colleges were then mixed (Kings, Clare, and Churchill IIRC). We were all very keen to support ‘co-residence’, but I’m not sure everyone’s motives were entirely high-minded.
There were plenty of women cycling for utility purposes. I think the dearth of women in the Cycling Club might have reflected the proportion among the undergraduate population, but I also wonder exactly how a woman turning up to one of our midweek meetings (always in a pub) might have felt. And no doubt the women’s colleges offered other options for the sports minded, like hockey and rowing.
Ha, yes, a good thing that (most) male undergraduates were in favour - even if many Fellows weren't. Good point about the pub feeling like a male preserve, many still do on a Saturday afternoon when the (male) football is on.
Later on we used to meet sometimes in the Elm Tree, which had a formidable French landlady called Francoise. I bet there were some stories about her. I remember the time someone asked for ‘a pint of ordinary bitter’ and she gave him a cold stare before responding, ‘My bittair eez nevair ordinary.’
Ann, I love your Substack more than I love chocolate. And, like chocolate, I will devour it in any form you set in front of me. I will say I’m partial to the longer articles about women writers who’ve been “lost in the archives.” But pieces like this one are morsels of joy as well. “Psycho Bicycles” has already made my day.
I would absolutely love podcasts as well. You’ll find me in the front row of the lecture hall.
Chocolate is a very nice thing for my writing to be compared to, Mary, I feel honoured! Good to know you enjoy the longer articles too, in this time-pressured life of ours that's also a great honour. I'll be publishing more of those soon - and work up to a lecture!
What an interesting topic, Dominique, thanks for suggesting it. It seems to be around this time, 1890s, that more women's magazines and sections in newspapers started to appear, and many were aimed at encouraging middle-class women into the professional sector.
I love this post on 'ladies' and bicycles! I'm reminded of a classic book on human growth, *Foetus Into Man* by J.M. Tanner. In a section on epidemiology of growth, pondering the reasons for 'secular trend' (generations growing taller/ maturing earlier than their forebears), Tanner mentions increased 'heterosis' or hybrid vigour. Various explanations had been mooted, including climate change, 'modern urban living', and outbreeding. Tanner tends toward the last of these three possibilities and comments: 'As for outbreeding, that has been steadily increasing ever since the introduction of the bicycle'. Those riding schools had far-reaching effects!
Sounds as if Tanner was interested in eugenics - the rise of which in the UK did coincide with the beginning of cycling in the 1890s, I guess! Thank you for your thoughtful comment and making that connection, Leslie, it ties in with fears about women studying, cycling, entering the professions etc.
Yes it is true Tanner did consider eugenics and had a regard for Galton. Tanner though amongst his peers strongly argued for the important influence of environment in human growth and development.
Very pleased to hear that Andrew, and I'll be writing very soon about the pioneering generation of women who moved to Cambridge and founded influential clubs and political associations. Kathleen Lyttelton was involved in at least four of them!
Ann, this is the kind of post that brings something unique to me on Substack that I can't get (can't find) anywhere else. The deft way you handle your material and the novel perspectives that you open up from your time in the archives are so precious. Thank you!
Thank you Jeffrey! That's so nice to hear. I have enjoyed reading about Edward Lear recently in your publication, with a wonderful combination of his poetry and art.
Now that's a good idea...but maybe hard to do? Henry Oliver features taped interviews on his blog, so it can be done, but I think they might need editing and that would be harder
Thanks Sarah, I will look into how Henry does it. I'd probably feel on more familiar ground giving an online lecture - but at first would plan to do some written interview-format posts, as Jodi (Beautiful Things) does.
Psycho Cycles is reminding me of a novel I am reading by a local author. It's a magical piece of writing and the symbolism and play of words between cycles and patients. Naturally, I cannot remember the author's name. So when I saw your title I wondered what it was all about. I had no clue the bicycles were advertised like this. What's the idea behind the Psycho? Is it merely a play of words? Much enjoyed read.
Thank you - it would make a good name for a novel, wouldn't it? 'Psycho' in this context seems to be something to do with spinning in circles, but I am still trying to work that one out myself!
I think so :) He was foundational in the study of auxology and also an interesting thinker. He loomed large in my own education in physical anthropology and human biology. Here's his obit from the NYTimes:https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/science/24tanner.html
As a new reader, I have been surprised and delighted by your forays into both the history of women in Cambridge and snippets such as the Psycho bicycle. What a name. It made me laugh out loud. I did wonder how many of them caught their skirts in the back wheel spokes!
I'm happy with your balance of posts, but I always love to see the pieces about Cambridge women. (For some reason, Substack is telling me that I'm not a subscriber to Lost in the Archives and therefore can't vote in the poll!)
Thank you Sarah and that's frustrating for you, one of the mysteries of Substack others have told me about. Really good to have your feedback, and your support!
I love all your posts, but especially love those of neglected women writers. The piece of Gwen Raverat was a particular favourite. I do love the idea of a podcast, what a treat that would be!
I enjoy the focus on unknown ordinary women in Cambridge, memorable because of being extraordinary. Audio or video don't appeal, too distracting from the writing.
Thank you Maria, that's very good to know. And I know what you mean about video/audio being distracting - or rather it's a separate thing from writing and reading (though I am partial to a good audiobook during long walks!).
I am especially interested in your well-researched articles on Cambridge women; there are few if any other places to learn about this topic. Thanks so much for all your work on this fascinating and important subject.
So glad that you enjoy reading these pieces, Trudi, I love researching and writing about these women.
I'm enjoying all your posts but the link between Cambridge and bikes strikes a personal chord. It was In Cambridge that I really discovered a love of bikes which has stayed with me ever since.
There's a lot of literature about how the advent of the bicycle played a big part in liberating women, and its links with the 'Rational Dress' movement, but I have to confess I rode for the University Cycling Club in the mid-70s and there were very few women in the Club—none at all that I remember in my first year with them. Women's participation in cycling, whether competitive, recreational, or utility, is still a long way short of men's.
BTW, one star cyclist with a Cambridge connection is Emma Pooley (Trinity Hall 2001-2005), Olympic silver-medallist and World Champion in the time trial.
And if I haven't gone on too long already, one other Cambridge/bicycle related memory. A friend and I were standing with our bikes on King's Parade when we were passed by a guy in a wheelchair. We had to make space and as they passed the carer said something like 'how do they stay upright on such narrow tyres?' I'm pretty sure the guy would have known the answer, because as I only realised later, it was Stephen Hawking.
Thanks Jon, very pleased to hear you have good memories of cycling in Cambridge - and that you had a close encounter with the great Stephen Hawking. I guess the numbers of women at the university were fairly low in the 1970s, as colleges were only starting to go mixed at that time. I wonder if things have changed, cycling-wise in university clubs? Certainly pretty much everyone who lives in Cambridge cycles, women as much as men I would guess!
Thanks. Yes, I think only three colleges were then mixed (Kings, Clare, and Churchill IIRC). We were all very keen to support ‘co-residence’, but I’m not sure everyone’s motives were entirely high-minded.
There were plenty of women cycling for utility purposes. I think the dearth of women in the Cycling Club might have reflected the proportion among the undergraduate population, but I also wonder exactly how a woman turning up to one of our midweek meetings (always in a pub) might have felt. And no doubt the women’s colleges offered other options for the sports minded, like hockey and rowing.
Ha, yes, a good thing that (most) male undergraduates were in favour - even if many Fellows weren't. Good point about the pub feeling like a male preserve, many still do on a Saturday afternoon when the (male) football is on.
Later on we used to meet sometimes in the Elm Tree, which had a formidable French landlady called Francoise. I bet there were some stories about her. I remember the time someone asked for ‘a pint of ordinary bitter’ and she gave him a cold stare before responding, ‘My bittair eez nevair ordinary.’
Could be an idea for a Cambridge-based comedy drama!
Ann, I love your Substack more than I love chocolate. And, like chocolate, I will devour it in any form you set in front of me. I will say I’m partial to the longer articles about women writers who’ve been “lost in the archives.” But pieces like this one are morsels of joy as well. “Psycho Bicycles” has already made my day.
I would absolutely love podcasts as well. You’ll find me in the front row of the lecture hall.
Chocolate is a very nice thing for my writing to be compared to, Mary, I feel honoured! Good to know you enjoy the longer articles too, in this time-pressured life of ours that's also a great honour. I'll be publishing more of those soon - and work up to a lecture!
I will be diligently taking notes, while sneaking a few bites of 99-percent cacao Plath.
She's the real thing...
I was going to reply, but this sums up what I was going to write exactly, so I'll just point and say "Me too". 👆🏻
😊❤️
Thank you Jodi!
I would like to know more about advertising targeting strategies towards Victorian women
What an interesting topic, Dominique, thanks for suggesting it. It seems to be around this time, 1890s, that more women's magazines and sections in newspapers started to appear, and many were aimed at encouraging middle-class women into the professional sector.
I love this post on 'ladies' and bicycles! I'm reminded of a classic book on human growth, *Foetus Into Man* by J.M. Tanner. In a section on epidemiology of growth, pondering the reasons for 'secular trend' (generations growing taller/ maturing earlier than their forebears), Tanner mentions increased 'heterosis' or hybrid vigour. Various explanations had been mooted, including climate change, 'modern urban living', and outbreeding. Tanner tends toward the last of these three possibilities and comments: 'As for outbreeding, that has been steadily increasing ever since the introduction of the bicycle'. Those riding schools had far-reaching effects!
Sounds as if Tanner was interested in eugenics - the rise of which in the UK did coincide with the beginning of cycling in the 1890s, I guess! Thank you for your thoughtful comment and making that connection, Leslie, it ties in with fears about women studying, cycling, entering the professions etc.
Yes it is true Tanner did consider eugenics and had a regard for Galton. Tanner though amongst his peers strongly argued for the important influence of environment in human growth and development.
That is good to hear, Leslie - sounds very much as if Tanner is worth reading.
I enjoy reading about extraordinary women living in Cambridge from the 1880s onwards but of course I am biased!
Very pleased to hear that Andrew, and I'll be writing very soon about the pioneering generation of women who moved to Cambridge and founded influential clubs and political associations. Kathleen Lyttelton was involved in at least four of them!
Ann, this is the kind of post that brings something unique to me on Substack that I can't get (can't find) anywhere else. The deft way you handle your material and the novel perspectives that you open up from your time in the archives are so precious. Thank you!
Thank you Jeffrey! That's so nice to hear. I have enjoyed reading about Edward Lear recently in your publication, with a wonderful combination of his poetry and art.
Maybe you could include some podcasts? An eclectic mix of interviews with writers, artists, academics, historians, biographers etc…
Thanks so much James, that is certainly something to consider. Will start working on my guest list!
😍
Now that's a good idea...but maybe hard to do? Henry Oliver features taped interviews on his blog, so it can be done, but I think they might need editing and that would be harder
Just checked, and uploading audio/podcasts to Substack looks pretty straightforward: https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037462092-How-do-I-create-and-publish-a-podcast-on-Substack#:~:text=on%20your%20publication.-,1.,audio%20directly%20on%20your%20device.
Thank you James, really helpful - and looks fairly straightforward too, as most things are on Substack.
Thanks Sarah, I will look into how Henry does it. I'd probably feel on more familiar ground giving an online lecture - but at first would plan to do some written interview-format posts, as Jodi (Beautiful Things) does.
I'm not keen on audio, though others may be. I enjoy your Substack as it is. Thank you.
Many thanks for your helpful comment, Ian, and for your kind words.
Psycho Cycles is reminding me of a novel I am reading by a local author. It's a magical piece of writing and the symbolism and play of words between cycles and patients. Naturally, I cannot remember the author's name. So when I saw your title I wondered what it was all about. I had no clue the bicycles were advertised like this. What's the idea behind the Psycho? Is it merely a play of words? Much enjoyed read.
Thank you - it would make a good name for a novel, wouldn't it? 'Psycho' in this context seems to be something to do with spinning in circles, but I am still trying to work that one out myself!
Absolutely. The only thing I thought of is how closely it is to the sound of cycle... psycho, cycle, psycho, cycle. I don't know, just a thought.
Visualising Mill Road and wondering which side number 2 was? And what is there now...
Thanks Janey, I will check next time I am there - and also have a look at some old maps!
I think so :) He was foundational in the study of auxology and also an interesting thinker. He loomed large in my own education in physical anthropology and human biology. Here's his obit from the NYTimes:https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/24/science/24tanner.html
As a new reader, I have been surprised and delighted by your forays into both the history of women in Cambridge and snippets such as the Psycho bicycle. What a name. It made me laugh out loud. I did wonder how many of them caught their skirts in the back wheel spokes!
I'm happy with your balance of posts, but I always love to see the pieces about Cambridge women. (For some reason, Substack is telling me that I'm not a subscriber to Lost in the Archives and therefore can't vote in the poll!)
Thank you Sarah and that's frustrating for you, one of the mysteries of Substack others have told me about. Really good to have your feedback, and your support!
I love all your posts, but especially love those of neglected women writers. The piece of Gwen Raverat was a particular favourite. I do love the idea of a podcast, what a treat that would be!
Thank you Deborah, that's really nice to hear! I will add your feedback into my mini-survey - it's great to have your encouragement.