literature

What Is The Meaning Of Humpty Dumpty? Inside The Origins Of The Popular Nursery Rhyme, From Rude Slang Words To King Richard III

The meaning of Humpty Dumpty has remained mysterious for centuries, but there are some possible historical explanations for the nursery rhyme.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 26, 2026

What Is The Meaning Of Humpty Dumpty? Inside The Origins Of The Popular Nursery Rhyme, From Rude Slang Words To King Richard III

The meaning of Humpty Dumpty has remained mysterious for centuries, but there are some possible historical explanations for the nursery rhyme.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 26, 2026

How Did California Get Its Name? Inside The Story Of Calafia, The Black Warrior Queen Of Spanish Legend

A figure from 16th-century Spanish literature, Calafia ruled over the all-women island of California — a story that inspired Spanish conquistadors when they explored the western coast of North America.

By Andrew Milne • Jun 2, 2026

How Did California Get Its Name? Inside The Story Of Calafia, The Black Warrior Queen Of Spanish Legend

A figure from 16th-century Spanish literature, Calafia ruled over the all-women island of California — a story that inspired Spanish conquistadors when they explored the western coast of North America.

By Andrew Milne • June 2, 2026

Alfredo Ballí Treviño, The Real-Life Hannibal Lecter Who Treated Patients While In Prison For Murder

While serving a 20-year sentence for killing his lover, Alfredo Ballí Treviño met journalist Thomas Harris, who would later use Treviño as inspiration for the character of Hannibal Lecter in his book The Silence of the Lambs.

By Kara Goldfarb • May 12, 2026

Alfredo Ballí Treviño, The Real-Life Hannibal Lecter Who Treated Patients While In Prison For Murder

While serving a 20-year sentence for killing his lover, Alfredo Ballí Treviño met journalist Thomas Harris, who would later use Treviño as inspiration for the character of Hannibal Lecter in his book The Silence of the Lambs.

By Kara Goldfarb • May 12, 2026

The True Story Of D’Artagnan, The French Soldier Whose Life Was Fictionalized In ‘The Three Musketeers’

Born Charles de Batz de Castelmore, d'Artagnan led France's Musketeers of the Guard from 1644 until his death in battle in 1673.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 7, 2026

The True Story Of D’Artagnan, The French Soldier Whose Life Was Fictionalized In ‘The Three Musketeers’

Born Charles de Batz de Castelmore, d'Artagnan led France's Musketeers of the Guard from 1644 until his death in battle in 1673.

By Kaleena Fraga • May 7, 2026

Archaeologists Just Unearthed An Ancient Egyptian Mummy With A Papyrus Of ‘The Iliad’ Tucked Inside Its Wrapping

A papyrus found within the wrappings of an ancient Egyptian mummy contains a passage from Book 2 of The Iliad that lists the Greek ships sent out to fight in the Trojan War.

By Cara Johnson • Apr 21, 2026

News

Archaeologists Just Unearthed An Ancient Egyptian Mummy With A Papyrus Of ‘The Iliad’ Tucked Inside Its Wrapping

A papyrus found within the wrappings of an ancient Egyptian mummy contains a passage from Book 2 of The Iliad that lists the Greek ships sent out to fight in the Trojan War.

By Cara Johnson • April 21, 2026

The Disturbing Stories Behind 7 Beloved Disney Movies That Are Much Darker Than Their Cartoon Adaptations

The original versions of childhood films like Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid replace cute animal sidekicks and happily ever afters with bloodshed and betrayal.

By John Kuroski • Mar 30, 2026

The Disturbing Stories Behind 7 Beloved Disney Movies That Are Much Darker Than Their Cartoon Adaptations

The original versions of childhood films like Sleeping Beauty and The Little Mermaid replace cute animal sidekicks and happily ever afters with bloodshed and betrayal.

By John Kuroski • March 30, 2026

Construction At A Dutch Church May Have Just Uncovered The Remains Of D’Artagnan, One Of The Real Three Musketeers

While repairing loose floor tiles at St. Peter and Paul Church in the Dutch town of Maastricht, workers recently came upon a centuries-old skeleton — that may belong to the 17th-century French soldier who served King Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard.

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 30, 2026

News

Construction At A Dutch Church May Have Just Uncovered The Remains Of D’Artagnan, One Of The Real Three Musketeers

While repairing loose floor tiles at St. Peter and Paul Church in the Dutch town of Maastricht, workers recently came upon a centuries-old skeleton — that may belong to the 17th-century French soldier who served King Louis XIV as captain of the Musketeers of the Guard.

By Kaleena Fraga • March 30, 2026

The Short, Sad Life Of Dina Sanichar, The Feral Boy Who May Have Inspired ‘The Jungle Book’

After being raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, Dina Sanichar was never able to speak or fully rejoin human society before dying at about 35 in 1895.

By Tim Brinkhof • Mar 18, 2026

The Short, Sad Life Of Dina Sanichar, The Feral Boy Who May Have Inspired ‘The Jungle Book’

After being raised by wolves in the Indian jungle, Dina Sanichar was never able to speak or fully rejoin human society before dying at about 35 in 1895.

By Tim Brinkhof • March 18, 2026

Inside The Contested Origins Of The ‘Jack And Jill’ Nursery Rhyme

From the executions of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to a satirization of King Charles I's liquor tax, there are countless theories about the true meaning of "Jack and Jill."

By Kaleena Fraga • Mar 10, 2026

Inside The Contested Origins Of The ‘Jack And Jill’ Nursery Rhyme

From the executions of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette to a satirization of King Charles I's liquor tax, there are countless theories about the true meaning of "Jack and Jill."

By Kaleena Fraga • March 10, 2026

‘I Am Going Mad Again’: The Tragic Tale Of Virginia Woolf’s Death

Virginia Woolf's suicide note revealed why she drowned herself in England's River Ouse. But the full story behind her death is even more heartbreaking.

By Hannah McKennett • Feb 25, 2026

‘I Am Going Mad Again’: The Tragic Tale Of Virginia Woolf’s Death

Virginia Woolf's suicide note revealed why she drowned herself in England's River Ouse. But the full story behind her death is even more heartbreaking.

By Hannah McKennett • February 25, 2026

Jack Kerouac’s First Draft Of ‘On The Road,’ A 121-Foot Scroll He Typed In Three Weeks In 1951, Is About To Be Sold At Auction

Expected to fetch as much as $4 million, this original manuscript pauses for neither paragraph breaks nor chapter titles, instead presenting its epic tale of Beat Generation misadventures in one unbroken stream.

By Cara Johnson • Feb 5, 2026

News

Jack Kerouac’s First Draft Of ‘On The Road,’ A 121-Foot Scroll He Typed In Three Weeks In 1951, Is About To Be Sold At Auction

Expected to fetch as much as $4 million, this original manuscript pauses for neither paragraph breaks nor chapter titles, instead presenting its epic tale of Beat Generation misadventures in one unbroken stream.

By Cara Johnson • February 5, 2026

The True Story Of Triboulet, The 16th-Century Court Jester Whose Wit Saved His Life

One of the most beloved court jesters to ever live, Triboulet once slapped the King of France on the rear and told jokes so scandalous that they put his life in danger.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jan 30, 2026

The True Story Of Triboulet, The 16th-Century Court Jester Whose Wit Saved His Life

One of the most beloved court jesters to ever live, Triboulet once slapped the King of France on the rear and told jokes so scandalous that they put his life in danger.

By Marco Margaritoff • January 30, 2026