If it was little known and uncommon, there was a good chance that Arthur would be drawn to it. His curious mind naturally gravitated toward things that polite society shunned. It was […]
How Arthur’s Secret Obsession Changed the World
That Time the United States Had an Emperor
Suppose fortune fails to smile upon you. Despite your best efforts at gaining wealth, you are bankrupt and have no professional skills to speak of. You could give up and embrace a […]
The Surprising Unknown Life of Aviation Legend Anne Lindbergh
The name Lindbergh is inseparable from aviation. If you think you know about Lindbergh’s accomplishments, you might be surprised at what you never heard of. For example, you may be aware of […]
The Weird, Wonderful, Wacky, and Whimsical Writings of Sir Thomas Urquhart
Certain historical figures are worth studying for the sheer entertainment value. Near the top of that list would be Sir Thomas Urquhart, the Scottish author of the 17th century. What can we […]
Was He Brilliant, Lucky, or Bonkers? The Eccentric Life of Lord Timothy Dexter
In the world of eccentrics, Lord Timothy Dexter stands in a class by himself. He made several fortunes through either the keenest business instincts in history or by the wildest strokes of […]
First Assault on a President and a Timely Assist From Headless Horseman Writer
As George Washington took the reins of government as the first President of the United States, some thought it would be wise to create a permanent protective detail for the chief executive. […]
Odd Titles Make Riveting Reading and Draw Diagram Prizes
It is true that you can’t judge a book by its cover. It’s also true that the title of a book does not tell the whole story. Sometimes, however, the title tells […]
Fabulous Facts From the Father of Fables
There wasn’t much about the little man’s life that would make a good tale for children, but almost every child has heard his stories. He lived a life of depressing slavery, but […]
14 Fun Facts About Edgar Allan Poe
Originally posted on Patry's writings :
Hi there, guys! I don’t know if you remember, but in one of my previous posts (which you can check out right here: Top 10 Best…
Dreams So Powerful That They Shaped History
Scientists, philosophers, and theologians have long pondered and theorized about dreams. What are they? What causes them? What purpose do they serve? The debates about dreams continue, but one thing is certain: […]
How Often Do You Call Yourself a Fool?
Russian author and philosopher Fyodor Dostoyevsky is regarded as one of the greatest psychological novelists of all time. For all of his success, he espoused the greatest confidence in a truly humble […]
Pigs, Politicians, Elections, and Executions
Author Orson Scott Card summed up the shortsightedness of much of the electorate. He said, “If pigs could vote, the man with the slop bucket would be elected swineherd every time, no […]
H.G. Wells, the Unrepentant Hat Thief
H.G. Wells (1866-1946) was one of the most accomplished writers of all time. As author of such classics as The Time Machine, The War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man, he […]
Cut Loose of the Misuse of the Mispronounced Name of Dr. Seuss
Theodor Geisel is known around the world by his pen name Dr. Seuss. The author and illustrator of more than 60 children’s books such as The Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs […]
The Volcano That Triggered a Year Without Summer, Defeated an Empire, and Gave Birth to a Monster
In terms of volcano celebrity status, Mount Tambora’s name is rarely mentioned. If someone asks you to name a dramatic volcanic eruption, more than likely, it is Mount Vesuvius, Krakatoa, or Mount […]
Commonplace Fun Facts 