Welcome to the Bristorian

Contextualising the present through the lens of the past

At The Bristorian, we’re committed to publishing provocative and insightful articles from across a wide range of disciplines within the humanities. If you have a nuanced take on something often overlooked or are looking for a platform to complete in-depth investigations into little-known phenomena, the Bristorian is the place for you.

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Print Culture: How Has It Shaped the World?
Print Culture: How Has It Shaped the World?

On the 29th of November 1641, England’s first newspaper was published. Emma Yeo explores the fascinating history of the printing press and its long-lasting impact upon print culture until the modern day.

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‘The greatest gay victory’: the American Psychiatric Association declares homosexuality is not a mental illness
‘The greatest gay victory’: the American Psychiatric Association declares homosexuality is not a mental illness

On this day in 1973, the American Psychiatric Association shifted their attitude on homosexuality as a mental illness. Editor-in-Chief AJ Birt explores this landmark change in attitudes towards homosexuality in the USA.

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Featured
Oh Crap! Spain’s Best Christmas Tradition
Oh Crap! Spain’s Best Christmas Tradition

You may be surprised to find out that a central part of a traditional Catalonian Christmas involves a small, ceramic figure depicting an individual defecating. Isabel Armstrong looks at Spain’s best and most unique Christmas tradition.

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Latest Articles:

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Masculinity, Anxiety and Mental Health in the 1950s
Masculinity, Anxiety and Mental Health in the 1950s

Emma Collins examines the history of men’s mental health in the 1950s for November.

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Social Class and Justice in Bessie Smith’s ‘Washwoman’s Blues’: How Jazz followed the Lower Class during the Harlem Renaissance.
Social Class and Justice in Bessie Smith’s ‘Washwoman’s Blues’: How Jazz followed the Lower Class during the Harlem Renaissance.

Amanda Schlicht explores the conception of the Harlem Renaissance and how the sound and lyricism of jazz music acted as a form of powerful emancipation for Black voices.

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Review: Bristol History Society’s Black History Panel - Reclaiming Narratives
Review: Bristol History Society’s Black History Panel - Reclaiming Narratives

Read Shujiao Guo’s review of the University of Bristol’s Black History Panel, discussing the theme of this year’s Black History Month: Reclaiming Narratives.

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The Legacy of the Colston Statue in 2024
The Legacy of the Colston Statue in 2024

Molly Blay and Michaela Mamby explore the legacy of Edward Colston’s statue in 2024 and the exhibition which is now on display at Bristol’s M Shed Museum.

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Celebrating Black History Month:

Public History:

Featured
“They shall not grow old” for the not-so-old: how children interact with Remembrance Day
“They shall not grow old” for the not-so-old: how children interact with Remembrance Day

Editor-in-Chief AJ Birt explores the way in which children learn about the significance of Remembrance Day through age-appropriate animated films and historical discussions.

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Man Beheaded by Society: Why is the new statue of Oscar Wilde causing controversy?
Man Beheaded by Society: Why is the new statue of Oscar Wilde causing controversy?

A new statue of Oscar Wilde is being dispalyed in Chelsea, but why is it causing outrage? Mia Townsend looks at Eduardo Paulozzi's artwork of Wilde.

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Piratical Plunder: A History of Bristol’s Links to Seafaring Outlaws
Piratical Plunder: A History of Bristol’s Links to Seafaring Outlaws

In this article, Mia Townsend explores the history of piracy throughout Bristol and its surrounding areas from the Roman period to modern day.


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