My great-grandfather is on the right.

Currently reading.

(Source: replaceface)

Eric Blair (aka George Orwell) on his Burma passport, circa 1922.

thedailywhat:

Everybody Needs A Hobby of the Day: One man, 1,000,000 edits: Justin Knapp, a 30-year-old Wikipedia editor from Indiana, has spent the bulk of his free time since 2003 giving the open-source encyclopedia the ol’ spit-and-polish, and he’s finally hit seven digits. And that’s easier said than done, considering the site is the sixth most-visited in the world.

Among his crowning achievements on the site is the bibliography on the George Orwell entry, the most comprehensive of its kind in the world; it took Knapp more than 100 hours to complete. He also has tasked himself with keeping the site’s information on music albums up-to-date. And all for what?

“I’ve never accepted any restitution for my work on Wikipedia — it’s purely voluntary. … Far be it for me to say that it’s an act of love to edit Wikipedia. But I really do feel like it helps other human beings. That makes me feel good — knowing that somehow I can be a small part of helping someone who I’ll never know.”

[gizmodo]

George Orwell’s Islington flat, as seen today. In 1946 a series of photos by Vernon Richards was taken of Orwell doing mundane things, like doing woodwork or taking care of his son Richard. It was here the photos were taken.

thedailywhat:

Abandoned Baby of the Day: Though it was her only egg to survive and hatch, this baby Kea parrot is so ugly even its mother couldn’t love it. Nelson, taken in by Bergzoo in Germany, is currently being cared for in an incubator, and staff are holding out hope that he’ll turn into a swan.

[gizmodo]

coolchicksfromhistory:

Memorial to Edith Corse Evans at Grace Church in New York City via Scouting NY.  Another plaque honoring Edith Corse Evans can be found at Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church in Sayville, New York.

A wealthy, single socialite, Edith was 36 years old when she boarded the Titanic.  On board she befriended a 59 year old wife and mother named Caroline Brown.  

The two women were among the throng trying to reach a lifeboat as the Titanic sank.  When only one space remained, Edith pushed Caroline forward saying “You go first, you have children waiting at home.”  

Edith was one of four first class women to perish in the sinking of the Titanic.  Her body has never been recovered.

feliscorvus:

Apparently this is a real thing somewhere in the Ukraine. It looks amazing.

thedailywhat:

Map of the Day: Funny because it’s true?

At least there are British, French, and Swiss variations.

[thanks, ben! lipstickandligature]