Brilliant new prize for historians 35 or younger. Deadline for entries: 30 September. Good Luck🍀

A competition hosted by our friends at the Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography that may be of interest to young (under-35) historians and biographers: elhb.uk/brieflives/

Previews begin today for Little Brother! Don't miss Oliver Award-winning playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker's modern odyssey: the epic tale of an ordinary person compelled by love to do something extraordinary.⭐️ 🎟 bit.ly/JSTLittleBroth… 📆 Until 21 June 📸 Steve Gregson

theguardian.com/politics/2025/… We’re extremely disappointed that the UK Home Office has denied renowned writer Ibrahima Balde a visa to visit the UK to attend the upcoming performances at our theatre of Little Brother, a play adapted from his PEN Award-winning memoir of the same name.

Little Brother tells Ibrahima’s story of leaving his home in Guinea to find his younger brother who is trying to make his way to Europe. His book has become a source of inspiration across the world and led to him meeting with Pope Francis.

It has been met with critical acclaim, translated into 13 languages, and read by countless people around the globe who have been drawn to a deeply personal narrative that gives voice to the often-nameless people behind the headlines about migration.

The refusal of a visa to a writer of such magnitude denies UK audiences an important cultural connection, and it is a decision which cannot be removed from the current political conversations around migration and the political rhetoric that surround them.

Jermyn Street Theatre urges the Home Office to reconsider this decision and allow him entry into the country to attend the premiere of a play based upon his story.

theguardian.com/politics/2025/…

standard.co.uk/culture/theatr… We are delighted that the Home Office has reversed its decision and that Ibrahima is now allowed to travel to London to see his own story on stage at Jermyn Street Theatre.

I attended a Georgian Papers Programme (flora fraser) lecture King's College London shortly before leaving the UK in Jan 2019. I thought people would enjoy seeing these pics of the late Prof Arthur Burns💕 in King's History. He had such an impact on my life - one class inspired my dissertation!

Greetings, #twitterstorians. Further news re the Elizabeth Longford Brief Lives 2025 Award. See below. The winning essay, to be announced at National Portrait Gallery on 26.1.2026, will be considered for publication in the Times Literary Supplement. Gratitude to all at The TLS & the NPG also

Little Brother by Timberlake Wertenbaker sensitively directed by Stella Powell-Jones at Jermyn Street Theatre to 21 June is based on the book by Ibrahima Balde about his trip from his home in Guinea - he ended as an asylum seeker in Spain. Powerfully acted & very moving. 5*****

Reviews are in for Timberlake Wertenbaker's Little Brother!⭐️ Congratulations to everyone involved on the opening of this "defiant, powerful and often joyful" show (Evening Standard). 📆 Until 21 June 🎟bit.ly/JSTLittleBroth… 📸 Steve Gregson

Look at all of those stars for Little Brother!⭐️ Book now for this "masterpiece of storytelling and a triumph of theatre" (Theatre and Tonic). 📆 Until 21 June 🎟bit.ly/JSTLittleBroth… 📸 Steve Gregson

🖊️The Elizabeth Longford Brief Lives 2025 Essay Award has just launched – offering £2000 for an outstanding short essay in historical biography. elhb.uk/wp-content/upl…

'Will have you hooked ... an ode to the enduring power of male friendship' The Times and The Sunday Times #DraytonandMackenzie by Alex Starritt is a The Times and The Sunday Times Best Summer Book 🌊 Read the full review: shorturl.at/SBVQ6 Pre-order: bit.ly/DraytonMackenz…

Drayton and Mackenzie — a moving tale of male friendship in the 21st century on.ft.com/3FZ5Uj8

Tune into BBC Radio Scotland this afternoon where Alex Starritt will discuss his latest novel #DraytonandMackenzie out today. 'A novel like no other – awards await' Strong Words Magazine shorturl.at/2zSm9

Such a great review, Jude Cook , of a book I enjoyed and admire hugely Alex Starritt The TLS