John Welford
Bio
John was a retired librarian, having spent most of his career in academic and industrial libraries.
He wrote on a number of subjects and also wrote stories as a member of the "Hinckley Scribblers".
Unfortunately John died in early July.
Stories (501)
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Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Russian composer
Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov was born on 6th March 1844 at Tikhvin which is some 120 miles east of St Petersburg in Russia. His father was a retired civil governor who owned a considerable amount of land. His family was musical and Nicolai was soon discovered to have musical ability and perfect pitch, but he had no early ambition to devote himself to music.
By John Welford4 years ago in Beat
Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister
Neville Chamberlain might have been an excellent peacetime Prime Minister, but unfortunately he did not get the opportunity. Instead, he is remembered as the Prime minister who made the mistake of trusting Hitler to keep his word and ended up having to take Great Britain to war in 1939.
By John Welford4 years ago in FYI
Nero, Emperor of Rome
Nero was born on 15th December 37 AD, the son of Gnaeus Domitius Ahenobarbus and Agrippina the Younger, who was the sister of the notorious emperor Caligula. When Ahenobarbus died (of natural causes) in 40 AD, Agrippina married her uncle, the emperor Claudius, who, in 50 AD, adopted Nero as his own son.
By John Welford4 years ago in FYI
The non-reign of "Queen Matilda"
Who was the first Queen of England? This question refers to queens who ruled as monarch, as opposed to being the wife of a king (by convention, such a lady is given the honorary title of Queen, but the husband of a reigning queen is never titled King!). The official answer is Mary I, unless one allows Lady Jane Grey to be credited for her nine-day “rule” in 1553. However, for a few brief periods in the 12th century it could be said that “Queen Matilda” was more in charge than anybody else.
By John Welford4 years ago in FYI
The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum
I visited the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Museum during a short visit I made to Baltimore in June 2006, which was the only time I have ever been to the United States. It was the last day of my stay in the city, the conference I had attended was over, and I had time to kill before leaving for the airport and an evening flight home. Railways have always been a keen interest of mine, and the museum was an obvious place to go.
By John Welford4 years ago in Wander
The bizarre origin of the Tour de France
The Tour de France is surely the World’s best-known and most celebrated cycle race. It takes 23 days to stage, with the competitors, who come from many countries, completing a series of grueling stages that take them all round France and usually across borders to visit neighbouring countries en route.
By John Welford4 years ago in Unbalanced
Valentinian I: a late Roman Emperor
The reign of Valentinian I marked a new stage in the decline of the Roman Empire, namely one in which emperors reigned but did not necessarily rule. Power was staring to ebb away from the person who was nominally in charge and towards the civil servants and officials who were increasingly making the important decisions.
By John Welford4 years ago in FYI
