As our discussion of Marie Antoinette and the French Revolution continues, we're looking at the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges. Saint-Georges was a mixed-race man born to an enslaved woman and her enslaver in Guadaloupe. Sent to Paris to be educated, his athleticism and musical gifts made him a celebrity. We're joined today by P…

We're back on the Marie Antoinette train, and in Season 7 Part 2 the topic is "Meanwhile, Back in France." We're joined again by Amanda Matta to wrap up the scandalous saga of Madame du Barry. Follow Amanda on: TikTok Instagram Substack And keep up with her podcast, The Art of History! — Reference: Madame du Barry: The Wages of Beauty by Joan Hasli…

We're back on the Marie Antoinette train, and in Season 7 Part 2 the topic is "Meanwhile, Back in France." To explain the French royal court system that Marie Antoinette eventually joined, we're taking a look at notorious mistress Madame du Barry in a saga so iconic it can't be contained in one podcast episode. Our guest this week is everyone's fav…

This used to be a Patreon-only bonus episode, but now everyone can hear it! Since we'll be discussing Versailles in upcoming episodes, it felt appropriate to share this episode about Louis XIV aka The Sun King, who basically invented that whole scenario. To hear more bonus episodes, subscribe at the $5/month or higher level at patreon.com/annfoster…

The story behind John Singer Sargent’s iconic painting, Portrait of Madame X, rarely focuses on on the life of its subject, Virginie Amélie Avegno Gautreau. A prominent Parisian socialite known for her striking beauty, Amélie's story before and after Sargent's portrait speaks volumes about attitudes towards women in the elite circles of Belle Époqu…

It's a rerelease of a classic Vulgar History episode, now with better editing! Boudica was Queen of the Iceni, a Celtic tribe during the Roman conquest of Britain. She led a rebellion of united tribes against their Roman invaders, leaving a path of death and bloodshed in her wake. Reference: Boudica: Warrior Woman of the Roman Empire by Caitlin C. …

This week, we're revisiting a classic Vulgar History episode. Agrippina the Younger was also the sister, wife/niece, and mother of three different Roman emperors and also one of the villainesses in the 1976 BBC miniseries I, Claudius! — Reference: Agrippina: The Most Extraordinary Woman of the Roman World by Emma Southon (now available in paperback…

There was no way I could revisit the Cleopatra episode and score without getting Gina Berry's assistance! She was a guest on our epic Nefertiti and Hatshepsut episodes, and now she's here to talk all things Cleo. As ever, when the two of us get together, it will be at LEAST 2 hours of episode. I recommend listening to the Cleopatra episode first be…

Remember in early 2020 when we were doing the season Women Leaders and the Men Who Whined About Them? This was the first episode of that series, now remastered by Cristina for improved audio quality! Plus, a special new intro and extro! Coming up next week: we revisit Cleo's score with a very special guest. — Intro ends: 04:07 Ad break: 34:54 Story…

Ona Judge Staines, also known as Oney Judge, was born in 1774 into enslavement at Mount Vernon, the plantation owned by George and Martha Washington. She travelled with the Washingtons to New York City and Philadelphia, where she would eventually escape. In this week's episode, we hear about how she made that happen. — Story starts: 02:15 Ad break:…

George Washington was many things: general, president, family man, and slaveholder. This giant of American history had a complex relationship with the enslaved—and often invisible—laborers who made his achievements possible. But through the art historical record, we can catch glimpses of these individuals and discover how they impacted Washington's…

Ona Judge Staines, also known as Oney Judge, was born in 1774 into enslavement at Mount Vernon, the plantation owned by George and Martha Washington. She travelled with the Washingtons to New York City and Philadelphia, where she would eventually escape. — Story starts 04:39 AD BREAK: 28:30 Story ends: 54:20 — Reference: Never Caught: The Washingto…

In the second part of Peggy Shippen's scandalous saga, we see Philadelphia throw one of its classic riots, and she and Benedict visit a variety of places including my own hometown in Nova Scotia! — Intro ends/story starts 04:07 Ad break: 30:11 Story ends/outro starts 1:01:04 — Reference: Defiant Brides: The Untold Story of Two Revolutionary-era Wom…

Peggy Shippen was living a Revolutionary-era brat summer when she married the worst possible person, and things went buck wild from there. Featuring: most of the characters from Hamilton. And: the city of Philadelphia. — Intro ends/story starts: 03:47 AD BREAK: 21:11 Story ends/outro starts: 47:30 — Reference: Defiant Brides: The Untold Story of Tw…

Nanye'hi, also known as Nancy Ward, was a prominent leader and diplomat of the Cherokee Nation during the American Revolution. — Intro over/story starts: 04:06 Ad Break: 36:05 Story ends/outro starts: 1:11:04 — References: Finding Your Roots “Fathers and sons” Nancy Ward: American Patriot or Cherokee Nationalist? by Michelene E. Pesantubbee Nanyehi…

This week on Beef, the brilliant 17th century nun Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz dares to defy the Catholic Church with her scholarship and searing wit. Pick up Dr. Stephanie Kirk's fascinating book Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and the Gender Politics of Knowledge in Colonial Mexico. Hosted by Bridget Todd Written by Adrián Duston-Muñoz The actors who voic…

All good stories must come to an end, and so it is with Peg Plunkett. Guest co-host Karyn Moynihan (co-host of Double Love: The Sweet Valley High Podcast) joins us to wrap up this instantly iconic trilogy. Karyn has also designed an incredible Peg-themed merch design! Pick up a Peg Plunkett tee, mug, sticker, pin and more at: Teepublic (better ship…

This week continues (but does not conclude) the tits out story of Irish icon, Peg Plunkett. Our guest is, again, Karyn Moynihan: Irish person, co-host of Double Love: The Sweet Valley High Podcast, and designer of several Vulgar History merch items. Next week: the thrilling conclusion of the Peg saga. Herman, my pills! — Intro ends/story begins: 02…

Artist and illustrator J.C. Leyendecker (1874-1951) helped shape modern American visual culture as the mind behind advertising campaigns like the legendary “Arrow Collar Man.” He was also responsible for countless covers for the Saturday Evening Post—one more, in fact, than Norman Rockwell. Modern biographers also hold that Leyendecker was a gay ma…

We're headed to Ireland this week to talk about Peg Plunkett, a scandalous and influential figure in 18th-century Dublin. We're joined this week by Karyn Moynihan: Irish person, co-host of Double Love: The Sweet Valley High Podcast, and designer of several Vulgar History merch items. Pace yourselves, because this is part one a multi-week extravagan…

Last time, we looked at Sally's family background and pre-Paris life. This time, we look at her return to Monticello from Paris, and what happened next. 0:00 Intro 04:55 Sally’s story begins 45:47 Ads 1:26:44 Extro The image for this episode is from the multimedia installation The Life of Sally Hemings at Thomas Jefferson's plantation home, Montice…

Sally Hemings was born in 1773 to enslaved mother Elizabeth Hemings and Elizabeth's enslaver, John Wayles. She grew up alongside her mother and siblings in enslavement in Virginia at around the same time as the American Revolution. In part one, we learn about Sally's family and childhood and how a series of coincidences led her to live in Paris jus…

I'm on vacation, and I hope you'll get some time away soon, too! Our featured podcast today is one that you'll 100% want to listen to on your summer travels: History Daily. Each weekday on History Daily, host Lindsay Graham (not the senator) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened ‘on this day’ in history. History Daily is…

This season on Vulgar History, we're investigating How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette? To do so, we're looking at the lives of people who lived during the revolutionary era of the 18th century. In honour of Pride Month, we're talking this week about the trans historical figure The Public Universal Friend. The Friend, aka PUF, grew up …

This season on Vulgar History, we're investigating How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette? To do so, we're looking at the lives of people who lived during the revolutionary era of the 18th century. In honour of Pride Month, this week we're talking about trans historical figure Deborah Sampson/Robert Shurtleff. Deborah/Robert fought in the…

This season on Vulgar History, we're investigating the question How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette? To do so, we're looking at the lives of women who lived during the revolutionary era of the 18th century. This week, we're headed to New Zealand (via England and Australia) to learn how the Industrial and American Revolutions contribute…

This season on Vulgar History, we're investigating the question How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette? To do so, we're looking at the lives of women who lived during the revolutionary era of the 18th century. This week, Kristin Franseen joins us to discuss Constanze Mozart, best known as the wife and then widow of Amadeus Mozart. -- Lear…

The internet has been ablaze with hot takes on King Charles III's brand-new royal portrait by British artist Jonathan Yeo. Does it depict a strong, capable monarch? Or one who is overshadowed by the chaotic state of his institution and modern world? ______ New episodes every month. Let's keep in touch! Subscribe to my newsletter, The Fascinator. Em…

It's season seven! This year we're investigating the question How Do You Solve A Problem Like Marie Antoinette? Marie Antoinette was famously executed during the French Revolution. To understand how that happened means understanding the French Revolution, which means understanding the spirit of revolution that occurred around the world in the 18th …

Today's guest, June Hur, is the author of historical novels that read like K-dramas. Her latest, A Crane Among Wolves, is set in Joseon-era Korea during the reign of tyrant King Yeonsan. Learn more about June and her books at junehur.com Buy a copy of A Crane Among Wolves from bookshop.org ---- Get 15% off all the gorgeous jewellery and accessories…

Adélaïde Labille-Guiard (1749–1803) rose from shopkeeper’s daughter to an official portraitist of the French royal court—only to have her achievements reduced to ash by the Revolution. While she defied societal barriers to build a remarkable artistic career, Adélaïde's legacy was long overshadowed by celebrated portraitist and memoirist Élisabeth V…

We're talking about pirate history this week with Ella McLeod, author of the new YA novel The Map That Led To You! In her research, Ella dove into the world of folklore, pirateology, nautical history, and the voices of people left out of history. Buy a copy of The Map That Led to You Ella's Instagram Ella's podcast, Comfort Creatures -- Theme music…

We're getting into a revolutionary, pants-on vibe this week with a look at Las Soldaderas: women who fought during the Mexican Revolution and whose contributions to victory often go uncredited. Guiding us through their pants-wearing ways is Cristina Lumague, longtime editor of Vulgar History! -- References: Soldaderas in the Mexican Military: Myth …

Today we're talking about Thanadelthur, a Dene woman who had a profound impact on the Dene people in Northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba during the eighteenth-century fur trade. Much of Thanadelthur's story is shared through oral storytelling among the Dene community. Today's guest, Rosalie Tsannie-Burseth is a member of the Hatchet Lake Dënesųłiné …

We're joined today by Lauren DeLeary to talk about the true story of Matoaka, commonly known as Pocahontas. Her story has been misinterpreted countless times from the 16th century through today, perhaps still best known from the animated Disney film. Lauren was the screenwriter of Missing Matoaka, an alternate audio track to the Disney film, presen…

The Chevalier d'Éon (1728–1810) is known as a transgender icon, living the first half of their life as a man, and the second as a woman. Theirs is also a life that is remarkably documented in contemporary artwork. But how much can we conclusively determine about how the Chevalier viewed themselves from their portraits? Today's Image(s): Alexandre-A…

We're joined by friend of the podcast Gina Berry to discuss the longest-ago figure ever discussed on the show: Hatshepsut! It's a long one, so pace yourselves because you want to hear every detail of this remarkable King's life and reign. References: The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt by Kara Cooney Before We W…

La Quintrala is well-known in Chile as a monstrous woman from colonial history. Her alleged murderous rampage killed over 1,000 enslaved people, and her ghost is still causing havoc today. But who was the real-life inspiration of this myth? We're joined by Dr. Maria N. Marsilli from John Carroll University to separate the bloody legend from the rea…

In a long-awaited crossover between pale-skinned history nerds with glasses and long reddish hair, whose cats like to make guest appearances in their content, Hepburn and I are joined by I'm joined by E.K. McAlpine (and Minnie) to talk about her all-time fav: Saint Margaret of Scotland! Support E.K. on Patreon Follow E.K. on Instagram ---- Get 15% …

We're joined today by Katie Gee Salisbury, author of the new Anna May Wong biography Not Your China Doll: The Wild and Shimmering Life of Anna May Wong. Katie helps guide us through a discussion of Anna May Wong's life from childhood through Hollywood and European stardom, her trip to China, and her final comeback era. Learn more about Katie and he…

How did the daughter of an African ruler become goddaughter to Queen Victoria? A young black girl named Aina, later called Sarah Forbes Bonetta (1843–1880), began life in West Africa. But she would grow up to become a popular member of Victorian royal circles. Today's Image: Hannah Uzor, Aina, Sarah Forbes Bonetta Davies (2020). Acrylic & fabric on…

This week we're talking about Mary, Queen of Scots AGAIN because (drumroll please) she's the topic of the latest Vulgar History book club book! We're joined by author Flora Carr to talk about her new book, The Tower. It's a historical fiction novel about Mary, Queen of Scots and the Lochleven Scenario and it includes faves like Mary Seton and Yung …

Time to talk about a longtime Vulgar History fav, this time in her own episode! Claire Clairmont is mostly known as the third-wheel stepsister of Mary Shelley. But as you will soon find out, she was also a Goth Queen in a different way. We're joined by author Lesley McDowell, whose new novel Clairmont makes Claire the main character for once. Click…

We're joined by return guest Princess O'Nika Auguste, here to share the story of The Queen of Sheba. Princess explains this Queen's connection to Ethiopian, Rastafarian, Yemeni, Islamic, Jewish, Christian, and Black history. Follow Princess's podcast Badass Women of History Support Princess on Patreon All other ways to follow and support Princess o…

Mary Ann Shadd Cary is recognized as a national hero in both Canada and the United States. I'm joined by Nneka D. Dennie, author of Mary Ann Shadd Cary: Essential Writings of a Nineteenth-Century Black Radical Feminist to discuss Mary Ann's life and legacy. Download the intro to her book for free with this link. Buy a copy of her book here -- and u…

We're joined this week by Avery Cunningham, author of The Mayor of Maxwell Street. This historical fiction novel has it all: old timey gangsters! Lady journalists! Noir-adjacent gangland rivalries! And: 1920s outfits. It's also a story about the Black elite of 1920s Kentucky and Chicago, using fictional characters to highlight this lesser known asp…

With the tragic demise of Lady Jane Grey (1537-1554) serving as inspiration for countless works of art, it was hard to select just one to focus our attention on. But I did it, and in this episode, we dive into the short life of England’s Nine Days Queen. Today's Image: Paul Delaroche, The Execution of Lady Jane Grey (1833). Oil on Canvas. National …

Talking with Vanessa Miller, author of the historical fiction novel The American Queen. This novel is based on actual events that occurred between 1865 - 1889 and shares the unsung history of a Black woman who built a kingdom as a refuge for the courageous people who dared to dream of a different way of life. Learn more about Vanessa and her books …

Born into an illustrious family of swashbuckling war heroes and brilliant political leaders, Lady Hester Stanhope was a Regency-era adventuress who lived on her own terms and refused to conform. Author Andrea Penrose took Hester's life as inspiration for her new historical fiction novel, The Diamond of London. Learn more about Andrea and her work a…

This week is a re-release of season 1, episode 6 of Vulgar History, telling the saga of the Wizard Earl's Daughter, Frances Howard's protegee, that's right: lady spy Lucy Percy Hay! This rerelease includes a new edit of the original recording and a new intro and extro. Mentioned in this episode: Sweet Valley Sagas by Francine Pascal Court Lady and …