John Edmonstone, a Guyanese man born into slavery, became a successful taxidermist in 19th-century Edinburgh, mentoring figures like Charles Darwin and leaving a lasting legacy in his own contributions to natural history.

Leap Castle is possibly Ireland’s most haunted castle. Its dark history features feuding brothers, slain priests, and bloody battles. Paranormal activity centers on the Bloody Chapel and Murder Hole Room by ghosts like the Red Lady and two little girls.

Bessie Blount, a mistress of Henry VIII, was known for her wit and beauty. She bore his only acknowledged illegitimate son, Henry FitzRoy, in 1519. Enjoying royal favor, she remained on friendly terms with Henry VIII until her death in 1540.

Richard Heber, a 19th-century bibliophile and politician, amassed a library of 146,000 books. However, his political career was marred by rumored romantic ties with Charles Hartshorne. He died alone, leaving a library Sir Walter Scott called, "superior."

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu, an underrated Victorian writer, is celebrated for his ghost stories. His works, like Uncle Silas and Carmilla, shaped Gothic fiction and inspired authors like Henry James and Bram Stoker, yet he remains largely unrecognized today.

Edward Dando, known as the "oyster-eater," gained infamy in 19th-century London for dining and dashing, consuming oysters without payment. Unrepentant despite multiple arrests, his gluttonous life inspired Dickens and others, even after his death in 1832.

In March 1866, Janet Rogers was murdered at her brother's farm shortly after arriving to help with household chores. Her brother's inconsistent statements and a former servant's acquittal leave the case one of the UK's oldest unsolved murders.

Kidwelly Castle, a 12th-century fortress, defended against the Welsh and was featured in Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Its haunted past includes a headless Welsh princess and a tragic lover named Nest, with echoes of battles still felt by visitors.

Chevalière d'Éon was an 18th-century French soldier, diplomat, and spy who lived as both a man and a woman. Known for espionage and legal battles over gender identity, she became a symbol of gender non-conformity, leaving a complex legacy.

Julie d’Aubigny, a 17th-century opera singer and duelist, defied societal norms with her bisexuality and adventurous life. Notable for dueling three men and rescuing a lover from a convent, she left a legacy of authenticity and passion.

Marie-Louise Coidavid, born in 1778 in Haiti, was the wife of Henri Christophe, a leader in the Haitian Revolution. When he became king, she became his queen. But his death led to her exile in Italy, where she died in 1851 as Haiti's first and only queen.

Currently in #Scotland researching my gothic horror #WIP ONLY MONSTERS LIVE HERE. Today’s inspo stop was Dunnottar Castle! One Earl of Marischal’s lion obsession has me thinking… If WUTHERING HEIGHTS and THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY had a baby in the Scottish Highlands, this would be it.

For your viewing pleasure, I’ve included a small collection of some of the weirdest Victorian Christmas cards I scrounged up from online archives, exhibitions, and websites. Maybe it’ll give you ideas for cards to send to friends and family this year...

For your viewing pleasure, I’ve included a small collection of some of the weirdest Victorian Christmas cards I scrounged up from online archives, exhibitions, and websites. Maybe it’ll give you ideas for cards to send to friends and family this year...

Escaping an abusive marriage, Liane de Pougy fed to Paris and transformed herself into a successful courtesan and stage performer. Her rivalry with fellow courtesan La Belle Otero heightened her fame along with her taking on male and female lovers.

If you love making drinks from historical recipes, look no further! Check out these 10 popular drinks from the Regency era, including alcoholic ones like Regent's Punch, Flip, and Ratafia, and non-alcoholic ones, like drinking chocolate, saloop, and tea.

Francis Williams is speculated to have been the first person of African descent to attend Cambridge. Despite having been selected for a white aristocrat's social experiment, he left his legacy as a landowner, scholar, poet, and disruptor of racial bias.

Born into a theatrical family, Sarah Rachel Russell, alias Madame Rachel, clawed her way out of poverty by becoming a con artist. She operated a fraudulent cosmetics shop, promising her wealthy customers everlasting beauty before blackmailing them.

Vast moorland, sinister weather, and family tragedies inspired Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights. Here are a few of my favorite dark, romantic, and brooding quotes that explore these elements of the classic masterpiece.

Blickling Hall, famous for being the birthplace of Anne Boleyn, is said to be haunted by her headless ghost. Other headless ghosts spotted at Blickling include her father Sir Thomas Boleyn, her brother George Boleyn, and an army of headless horses.

Isadora Duncan, known as the "Mother of Modern Dance," lived a life punctuated by triumph and tragedy. She established herself as a groundbreaking dancer in Europe, drawing inspiration from ancient art and nature, despite suffering heavy personal losses.

Adore the Regency era? Love food? Check out these 10 popular desserts from the Regency! Includes Ratafia cake, cheesecake, Prince of Wales biscuits, flummery, and more.

Charles E. Boles, alias Black Bart, earned the reputation as a gentleman robber throughout his 28 stagecoach robberies for treating innocent passengers with respect. He also left taunting poems at a few of his robberies.

Born in New York City in 1807, Ira Aldridge rose to fame as a Shakespearean actor at a time when slavery was still practiced in the United States and British Empire. He used his celebrity to advocate for abolition and racial equality.

William John Bankes, once called the "father of mischief" by Lord Byron, was a 19th century Egyptologist and explorer who played an integral role in deciphering hieroglyphics. However, he had to flee England after facing charges of homosexuality.

Anne Lister has drawn widespread attention for her coded diaries, overshadowing her wife Ann Walker. But Ann was fierce and brave. She faced stigma and family disapproval to live her life openly with her wife, making for a remarkable Victorian love story.

Despite being overshadowed by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical, Gaston Leroux's 1910 novel, "The Phantom of the Opera," deserves recognition. To celebrate Leroux's novel, influenced by the Paris Opera's history, I am spotlighting my favorite quotes.

Berry Pomeroy Castle, one of the most haunted sites in Europe, is haunted by two frightening ladies, the Blue Lady and the White Lady. One likes to touch visitors with her ghostly hands, while the other, like a siren, leads trespassers to their deaths.

Fanny Eaton, born in Jamaica, was a notable muse for Pre-Raphaelite artists in Victorian London during a time when whiteness was lauded as the beauty ideal. She appeared in notable works by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, Joanna Mary Boyce, and Frederick Sandys.

Jonathan Balls was a suspected poisoner and serial killer. However, his crimes were not investigated until after his death, which was suspiciously similar to his 22 alleged victims. After his death, many also thought that he was a vampire.

Anne Seymour Damer found liberation when her husband died. She pursued her artistic endeavors in her widowhood, becoming a respected sculptress in a male-dominated society. Rumors also surrounded her sexuality and the relationships she had with women.

In November 1848, Isaac Jermy, owner of Stanfield Hall, and his son were ambushed and murdered by a tenant farmer indebted to him. That farmer tried to frame someone else and coax his mistress into providing him with an alibi. But she turned against him.

Chillingham Castle, a 13th-century Northumberland stronghold, is renowned as one of England's most haunted castle, with many well-known ghosts like the "Radiant Boy" and the "The White Pantry Ghost."

Sarah Dazley had a rough childhood, but she was gifted with beauty, marrying at 19. But not long after, her husband died. And so did the second. And the third, well, ended their engagement before he was next. But what was killing Sarah's men?

Persuasion follows Anne Elliott's second chance at love with Captain Frederick Wentworth, whom she had rejected years prior due to family pressure and her sense of duty. Compiled here are some of my favorite quotes from Jane Austen's last completed novel.

Francis Barber, originally a Jamaican slave named Quashey, was brought to England by his probable father and owner. After gaining his freedom, he became Dr. Johnson's secretary. Barber was also possibly England's first schoolmaster of African descent.

Searching for Christmas recipes? Look no further! These 10 Christmas foods were popular during the 19th century, including plum pudding mince pies, ginger nuts, black butter, and white soup. Some recipes are historical while others are modern adaptations.

Harriet Buswell, a Victorian sex worker and aspiring actress, was brutally murdered on Christmas in 1872. Some historians and true crime junkies speculate she was Jack the Ripper's first victim, while others believe her murderer was someone else entirely.

In 12th-century France, philosopher Peter Abelard and scholar Heloise had a secret love affair. Their marriage led to family turmoil, Abelard's castration, and a separation bridged only by a torrid and passionate correspondence.

In Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens was inspired by the real-life murder of Eliza Grimwood, which shocked 19th-century London. Initially, there were a few suspects, but the case remains unsolved nearly 200 years later.

Bill Richmond, born into slavery in 1763, became a renowned boxer in England after freeing himself during the Revolutionary War. Known as “The Black Terror,” he pioneered defensive techniques, trained others, and left a lasting legacy in boxing.

In 1913, John Richard Archer became the first black mayor of Battersea, a milestone in British political history. A dedicated advocate for civil rights and social reforms, he overcame racial discrimination and inspired future generations with his legacy.

Oscar Wilde was a celebrated Irish author known for his wit and works like The Importance of Being Earnest and The Picture of Dorian Gray. Despite his fall from Victorian society over his sexuality, his literary legacy endures.

The Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, overlooking the River Tweed, dates back to the 12th century and is linked to the haunted ruins of Dryburgh Abbey. Legends include chanting monks, a figure in black robes, and the Grey Lady, who is fond of a nearby bridge.

On June 27, 1881, Percy Lefroy Mapleton was involved in a train incident that killed Isaac Gold. Initially viewed as a victim, his inconsistent story raised suspicions, leading him to evade arrest and become the first subject of a police composite sketch.

Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife, captivated him with her charm and wit. Their secret marriage in 1532 led to the birth of the future Elizabeth I, but Anne's failure to produce a male heir led to accusations of treason and her execution in 1536.

Looking for a history-inspired cocktail for dinner or the weekend? Check out these 10 popular 19th-century drinks, including the Blue Blazer, Gothic Punch, and Pimm's No. 1 Cup, with recipes from mixologists like Jerry Thomas. Please drink responsibly.

Anne Boleyn, King Henry VIII's second wife, captivated him with her charm and wit. Their secret marriage in 1532 led to the birth of the future Elizabeth I, but Anne's failure to produce a male heir led to accusations of treason and her execution in 1536.

On June 27, 1881, Percy Lefroy Mapleton was involved in a train incident that killed Isaac Gold. Initially viewed as a victim, his inconsistent story raised suspicions, leading him to evade arrest and become the first subject of a police composite sketch.

The Dryburgh Abbey Hotel, overlooking the River Tweed, dates back to the 12th century and is linked to the haunted ruins of Dryburgh Abbey. Legends include chanting monks, a figure in black robes, and the Grey Lady, who is fond of a nearby bridge.