The Copybook

Short passages for reading, drawn from history, legend, poetry and fiction.

1609

© racklever, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

John Harrison’s Marine Chronometer Clay Lane

When Harrison won the Longitude Prize, fair and square, Parliament wouldn’t pay up.

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1610

From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Ignaz Moscheles Clay Lane

Moscheles taught his adopted country how to write enchanting music for decades to come.

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1611

From Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.

Cyril and Hypatia Clay Lane

A ‘Christian’ mob kidnapped and murdered a much-loved professor of mathematics - for her politics.

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1612

© Iain Lees, Geograph. Licence: CC-BY-SA 2.0.

St Andrew, Patron of Scotland Clay Lane

Scotland’s association with the brother of Peter is down to an early 8th century Bishop of Hexham.

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1613

From Wikimedia Commons.

Fiddler Tam Clay Lane

An 18th century bon viveur and virtuoso violinist, Thomas Erskine is currently being ‘rediscovered’ by the classical music industry.

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1614

© Gryffindor, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The ‘Raindrop’ Prelude Georges Sand

As the storm raged around him, raindrops fell like music on the pianist’s heart.

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