Here you’ll find a selection of my writing, research, and projects, along with coverage of my work by others. I aim to combine history and storytelling, whether through articles, exhibitions, or media projects, and this page is a snapshot of that ongoing journey.
Writing
From Aleppo to Kingston Lacy – National Trust Groundswell
‘Although not on display, the ‘curious’ Arabic book is also still in the house. The manuscript contains texts on horsemanship and the lance, and is dedicated to a fourteenth-century Mamluk leader. Tucked in the back, a note by an unnamed English writer describes the manuscript’s content…‘
‘Thousands of little loose papers without any order at all’: Material signs and afterlives in the UL’s earliest Arabic acquisitions – Cambridge University Library Special Collections Blog
‘…it was one of the first Arabic manuscripts in the library’s collection. However, as many frequent archive-goers will know, no amount of reading prepares you for getting your hands on the real thing….‘ Read more.
Research
Getting the Measure of William Bedwell – Exhibition at Bruce Castle Museum, Tottenham
‘Discover the story of the Tottenham vicar who was a leading figure in the study of Arabic in the early 1600s. Developed in partnership with PhD Researcher Samantha Brown, the exhibition explores Bedwell’s Tottenham, his interest in mathematics and the role he had in the development of Arabic Studies in England…’ Read more.
Arabic language manuscripts: patterns of ownership and use – National Trust-British Library Fellowship Report
‘This 2024 National Trust-British Library fellowship investigates the provenance of Arabic manuscripts in six collections across both organisations… Through its survey of over 130 manuscripts, the project sheds light on the provenance of individual items, while also identifying threads that run through six different collections held by two institutions, over a period of three centuries.‘ Read more.
Media Coverage
The National Trust is exploring its Islamic history – Hyphen
‘Samantha Brown, a doctoral researcher at University College London, has been tasked with researching the provenance of this treasure trove of artefacts …‘ Read more.