Content deleted Content added

Inline

Revision as of 18:37, 19 January 2020

Welcome to the humanities section
of the Wikipedia reference desk.

skip to bottom

Select a section:

Shortcut

WP:RD/H

Want a faster answer?

Main page: Help searching Wikipedia

How can I get my question answered?

Select the section of the desk that best fits the general topic of your question (see the navigation column to the right).
Post your question to only one section, providing a short header that gives the topic of your question.
Type '~~~~' (that is, four tilde characters) at the end – this signs and dates your contribution so we know who wrote what and when.
Don't post personal contact information – it will be removed. Any answers will be provided here.
Please be as specific as possible, and include all relevant context – the usefulness of answers may depend on the context.
Note:
- We don't answer (and may remove) questions that require medical diagnosis or legal advice.
- We don't answer requests for opinions, predictions or debate.
- We don't do your homework for you, though we'll help you past the stuck point.
- We don't conduct original research or provide a free source of ideas, but we'll help you find information you need.

Ready? Ask a new question!

How do I answer a question?

Main page: Wikipedia:Reference desk/Guidelines

The best answers address the question directly, and back up facts with wikilinks and links to sources. Do not edit others' comments and do not give any medical or legal advice.

January 12

Milsom

Who is Consul Milsom mentioned here?KAVEBEAR (talk) 05:40, 12 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

There is an E. L. G. Milsom listed as US Consul for Béni Saf in French Algeria, in Uncle Sam Abroad By J. E. Conner (1900) (about ¾ the way down under "Appendix - CONSULAR SERVICE"). Also Register containing a list of persons employed in the department and in the diplomatic, consular and territorial service of the United States, with maps showing where the ministers and consuls are resident abroad : also a list of the diplomatic officers and consuls of foreign countries resident within the United States (1892) p. 16 has his start date in Béni Saf as April 27, 1891. Not sure if this is the same bloke, but its not a common surname and the ability to speak French would be required for a posting either in the French Pacific islands or Algeria. Alansplodge (talk) 14:44, 12 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I accessed the The Log of an Island Wanderer at archive.org (I couldn't view any text at Google books) and the author is talking about one "W. H. Milsom, Esq.", British Consul in Papeete. There's quite a bit more on this Milsom there. ---Sluzzelin talk 14:47, 12 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Well done! The first mention of him is on page 93: "a man of the very mildest type" (if you click "See other formats" you get a searchable page-view screen which is much easier to navigate). Alansplodge (talk) 14:54, 12 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

When was Milsom Consul in Papeete, Tahiti? And when was Robert Teesdale Simon (here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Reference_desk/Archives/Humanities/2019_December_23#British_consul_of_Tahiti_sent_to_Raiatea) Consul in Tahiti? Trying to understand who was the British Consul during the time of the annexation of the Leeward Islands from 1887 to 1897. And if both then when each served? KAVEBEAR (talk) 05:59, 14 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Not so. If we were to trust Edwin Pallander, they'd rather been both served - for dinner, in the shape of two well roasted "long pigs", following EP's expression. The name of Milsom will have been used for a satirical representation of Simon in The Log of (..). See, for a reference EricR's first link in that previous discussion you referred to. There is not in it any mention of a diplomatic expedition involving both naval force display and a consul named Milson. Neither Edwin Pallander's tale is presented as that of a whistle-blower. --Askedonty (talk) 07:39, 14 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

So Milsom refers to Simons? KAVEBEAR (talk) 16:02, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

January 13

New Calvary Cemetery in Queens NY

Was the Long Island Expressway built over the new Calvary cemetery? — Preceding unsigned comment added by VMKehuna (talk • contribs) 01:04, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I pasted your question into the Google search bar and found Forgotten New York - CALVARY CEMETERY which says: "The original Calvary Cemetery lies between the Long Island Expressway (formerly Borden Avenue), Greenpoint Avenue and 37th Street, Review Avenue and Laurel Hill Boulevard. New Calvary, in three divisions, is west of 58th Street (formerly Betts Avenue) from Queens Boulevard south to 55th Avenue. Smaller, pre-existing cemeteries were part of the original acreage, and were then surrounded by Calvary". Hopefully that makes sense - I've never been to New York (but it's on the list!). Alansplodge (talk) 17:04, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Looking for the architect of my old school

I recently added a photo of my old school; Leyton County High School for Boys, now Leyton Sixth Form College to our article and was hoping to find out who the architect of this 1929 building was, but not having any luck. Can anyone do better please? Also, how would you describe the architectural style? Alansplodge (talk) 17:12, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

A good bet would be the Essex County Architect from 1920-1945, one John Stuart, St George's Hospital, Havering was one of his. DuncanHill (talk) 17:41, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, well done Duncan. It certainly looks to be out of the same stable. Alansplodge (talk) 17:48, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

What about style? Stripped Classicism perhaps? Alansplodge (talk) 18:01, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

(ec)He was the education architect for the West Riding before going to Essex, according to this. I'm not sure where the archives would have ended up - Essex, Waltham Forest, or Greater London - but one at least of them should have records for the construction of the school. You may have tried already, but in your position I would be inclined to write to the VIth Form and ask if they know anything. DuncanHill (talk) 18:02, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

As for style, I don't know what it's called but it's very "late 20s/early 30s municipal". DuncanHill (talk) 18:02, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Yes, it has a slight air of Albert Speer about it. Thanks for your input. Alansplodge (talk) 18:09, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I think first stop will be the Essex Record Office. Alansplodge (talk) 18:38, 13 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

If you're adding this to the article bear in mind you're supposed to be able to cite a reliable source that other readers can check.--Shantavira|^{feed me} 10:09, 14 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks Shantavira; I have given up hope of including this in the article, it's just personal interest now unless something published comes to light. Alansplodge (talk) 18:10, 16 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Alansplodge: - can you access the British Newspaper Archive, perhaps through your local library? There are local newspaper reports of the opening which might have more, and I expect with a bit more searching you might find reports of the council approving or building the school. DuncanHill (talk) 21:19, 16 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks, I'll give it a bash. Alansplodge (talk) 22:09, 16 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

...erected under the supervision of the County Architect, Mr. John Stuart, F.R.I.B.A "Prince of Wales at Leyton". Essex Newsman. November 30, 1929. email for PDF, good find DuncanHill.—eric 22:15, 16 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Many thanks DuncanHill and eric, it can go in the article now. Alansplodge (talk) 22:27, 16 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Resolved

January 14

J. Inder Burns

J. Inder Burns (Q80216545) was a cartoonist (for Punch, among others) and illustrator. I know he was working in 1913 and 1931, but I can't find a death date. A possible candidate is [1], but I can't find anything to tie that record to the former. Can anyone help, and provide reliable sources, please? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:40, 14 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I ran her through ProQuest without any luck (only hits are illustration credits), but my library only has a very general British newspaper database. No Times archive account, for example. 70.67.193.176 (talk) 17:18, 14 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

There's a hit for "burns, john inder" 1886 punch in The dictionary of 19th century British book illustrators and caricaturists but not when i try adding years c. 1958. May not have a DOD and can't find any online snippets that would let you know how complete the entries are. Might be worth a request at WP:RX or maybe in a nearby library.—eric 14:17, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

F. J. Mears

Can we source any additional info (name, dates, military record) on F. J. Mears an artist and former WWI solder who was at "Fern Villa, Markenfield Road, Guildford, Surrey", probably circa 1920? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 20:55, 14 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Don't see "metal worker" in the article, "SOLDIER'S PICTURES BOUGHT BY DUKES AND DUCHESSES". Nottingham Journal. May 7, 1920.
In The Year's Art 1921-4: "Mears, F. J., 13 Windmill-st., Tottenham-crt.-rd., W.I"
Comments here suggest the address is connected to Frederick (James?) Mears. And some more suggestions for military records, ~~possible portrait~~ The medal card mentioned in the thread.
Cohen, David (2002). "War Art : Gunner F J Mears, Royal Garrison Artillery". Stand To! (63). listed here

—eric 13:55, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you. I'll follow these up, but to be clear, the "possible portrait" is not Mears; it's Gustave Caillebotte's Portrait de Georges Roman, painted in 1879. [2]. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 14:51, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

I see, 'Rouge Hill' is a work by Mears. It's annoying not to find "Art genius who paints in a garret." Far as i can tell all the web sources postdate this catalogue 2012-13 Stephen Ongpin Fine Art.—eric 15:25, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Nope, there's this this in 2003 from Cohen, author of the Stand To! article. Daily News (UK) became Daily News and Leader[3] in 1912, Cohen says it was from a "cutting".—eric 16:05, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Cecil, H.; Liddle, P. (2016). Facing Armageddon: The First World War Experienced. has quotes from "E. J. Mears", footnotes not in preview and waitlisted at Archive, ~~he is probably just citing Cohen tho.~~ nope, cite is The Daily News, 7 May 1920. IWM Art Dept. nos.6023, 5855.—eric 16:51, 15 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

January 17

The US President's power to unilaterally abrogate treaties?

Does the US President actually have the power to unilaterally abrogate treaties that have already been ratified by two-thirds of the US Senate? Futurist110 (talk) 03:07, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

According to Treaty Clause, that's an open question. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 03:43, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

This is part of the unresolved tension between the role of the executive and judicial branches of the U.S. government. Congress passes bills, which the Executive branch is supposed to put into action. Insofar as the executive has discretion in the way it enacts Congress's laws, there will always be times when that discretion comes out in opposition to the intent of the original law. This is as true of treaties as any other Congressional action. --Jayron 32 15:53, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Except that treaties are originally negotiated by the executive branch. Or at least the class of international agreements specifically called "treaties" in US law. There are other classes of international agreement that are not considered treaties by US definition but are considered treaties in international law. See Treaty Clause, especially the section on types of international accords. --Khajidha (talk) 19:29, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Sworn Enemies

There is a picture in the article promiscuity showing Donald and Bill together. The picture appears to me to be informal, at a BBQ or the like. It looks like it was taken in a kitchen, while there are other sin the shot and people in the background, Donald is looking much younger, as is Melania. My question is, when was his taken and under what circumstances, I would have though that these chaps were sworn enemies. Q2. When did the amicable relationship erode between the two, or am I holistically misinformed? Thanks. Anton 81.131.40.58 (talk) 09:38, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The file page tells you when and where it was taken. --Viennese Waltz 09:40, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

In case Anton doesn't know how: to bring up the file page just right-click on the photo in the article and bring it up as a new tab. This will tell you that it was taken in September 2000 (i.e. nearly 20 years ago) at the US Open Golf Championship, at which time Bill was the POTUS and very many people would have wanted to have their photo taken with him. This one was apparently taken by a White House staffer and comes from the Clinton Presidential Library.

Since Donald hadn't at that time entered politics on any side (as far as I know), and since the occasion was a sporting event where all celebrities are expected to act friendly to everybody they meet regardless of their real feelings (if any), I don't think it's possible to read anything into solely a one-off photo like this, which is not in itself evidence of anything more than that they met once at this public event. {The poster formerly known as 87.81.230.195} 90.199.208.126 (talk) 10:05, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

There is much discussion about the relationship between Donald and Bill e.g. [4] [5]. While I make no comment on the relationship between Donald and Bill at any stage of their lives, it's generally a mistake to assume relationships don't change. E.g. File:Saddam rumsfeld.jpg [6] [7]. BTW I removed the image from the article as there was no mention of any of those people in it, so the relevance was not established. Nil Einne (talk) 10:18, 17 January 2020 (UTC)s[reply]

No, in fact it's basically a BLP violation by inference, and it's good that you removed it. There are also pictures of Bill and Hillary at Donald and Melania's wedding in 2005, likewise looking chummy. The OP needs to keep in mind that politicians often say stuff that isn't really true, just for the purpose of garnering votes. Trump knows that a sizable portion of his presumed base hates the Clintons, so it's to his political advantage to pretend he hates them too. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 15:30, 17 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

They're hardly "sworn enemies". During the Clinton administration, Trump was a Democrat. ApLundell (talk) 06:01, 18 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The OP has fallen for the old trick of believing the media. Why, they'd have us believe that Donald Trump was elected President of the USA. Preposterous, absurd! Not a chance in a billion that would ever happen. Americans may be weird, but they're no fools. -- Jack of Oz ^{[pleasantries]} 17:11, 18 January 2020 (UTC) [reply]

The truth has proven to be stranger than fiction. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 19:11, 18 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

January 18

Opium wars

Im writing a history essay on the opium wars, and the causes of it but im having trouble finding first hand sources for it. Does anyone know where to find any? 91.101.26.175 (talk) 18:46, 18 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

The best way would be to go in person to your school library and ask the librarian to show you how to get started. Another thing you can do is look at the books listed at the bottom of the Opium Wars article. Best luck to you, 70.67.193.176 (talk) 19:15, 18 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

For a "first hand" accounts, see:

Also The Opium War: Drugs, Dreams and the Making of China

Alansplodge (talk) 19:40, 18 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

January 19

Guy Beringer(s)

Our article Brunch reports that this word and concept was coined in 1895 by British journalist Guy Beringer. During the 1905 revolution, a Reuters journalist named Guy Beringer reported from Russia, and stayed on duty there until the 1917 revolution, when he was jailed by the Bolsheviks. Was the brunch creator the same person as the reporter working in Russia? Not even Reuters seems to know. Any insights? Cullen³²⁸ Let's discuss it 04:39, 19 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

@Mathmitch7 and Billinghurst: wikisource:Author:Guy_Oscar_Beringer wikidata:Q66816921
c. 1902-4 Bohemian living in a bedroom at Reuter's, survived for weeks eating from a large barrel of "slightly damaged" anchovies.[8]
"died from his treatment at the hands of the Bolsheviks"[9] is suspicous
son of Prof. Oscar Beringer musician, entered service of Reuters 1892, prison 6 months in Moscow, undoubtedly adversely affected his health[10]
"son of Mr Oscar Beringer, the well-known dramatist, was married yesterday...Miss Edith Holland [Henry Holland & Mr.s James Wason]"[11] it's "Caroline" on the probate from wikidata. probably meant Mrs. Oscar Beringer rather than "Mr."
"Reuter's correspondent, Guy Beringer, was a permanent stand-by; he was settled in Petersburg, and he and his wife served as a social centre for us; he was very expert in the amusing abbreviations which he invented to save space in his telegrams, such as 'the crowd ran rabbitly.'" Pares, Bernard (1931). My Russian Memoirs. p. 114.
"Guy Beringer, who had visited Roumania before me, described the country in a word as Ruritania. I have since asked Sir Anthony Hope whether this was his model for the Prisoner of Zenda, but to my surprise he told me that he did not know any of these countries; if so, his was a wonderful guess." Ibid. p. 408
He attended the journalism "school" of David Anderson Waller, Philip (2006). Writers, Readers, and Reputations: Literary Life in Britain, 1870-1918. p. 400. It would be fun to connect Guy and Miss Edith to "A long betrothal" "A School of Journalism". T.P.'s Weekly. October 9, 1903. Waller clearly cites that article for Beringer attending the school, but he is not mentioned by name.
here claims Wright, Margaret B. (August 22, 1895). "Lunch at Oxford". The Independent. predates and has November 5, 1895 for "Brunch: a plea", Hunter's Weekly seems difficult to find, but someone uploaded an undated clipping and to Archive (linked from wikisource) Listed in printed catalogues for The British Museum but not showing up online[12]
Yesterday, the autobiography of Robert Hichens looks promising from the snipped view. Supposedly there are references to Anderson's school and the basement restaurant in Felix
Hunter's Weekly does not look like a sportsman's magazine as many are reporting[13] There's a David Hunter of University of Edinburgh listed as publisher of Hunter's Weekly but the date given is 1898, not 1895-6 "From the Newsman, a page of personal paragraphs by half-a-dozen well-known social writers."

Looks like a DYK: "'I tell you that nothing is going to happen in this forsaken country. I can't see a particle of use in being miserable in Petrograd. It's a good time for me to go to the Crimea for a holiday' The door opened...It's begun...The Cossacks are charging the crowds in the streets...Revolution"[14]. Get your Reuters authors to go to the British Museum and see if "Brunch: a plea" is under "From the Newsman" so it can have a better hook.—eric 17:58, 19 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Why are we here?

What is the meaning of life? 68.129.97.180 (talk) 18:14, 19 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

We're here because our respective parents conceived us. As to the meaning of life, read Meaning of life for some possible insights. ←Baseball Bugs ^{What's up, Doc?} carrots→ 18:37, 19 January 2020 (UTC)[reply]

Revision as of 18:25, 19 January 2020 edit Fiveby (talk \| contribs) Extended confirmed users 6,737 edits →Guy Beringer(s) ← Previous edit		Revision as of 18:37, 19 January 2020 edit undo Baseball Bugs (talk \| contribs) Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Page movers, New page reviewers, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers 126,828 edits →Why are we here? Next edit →
Line 128:		Line 128:

	What is the meaning of life? [[Special:Contributions/68.129.97.180\|68.129.97.180]] ([[User talk:68.129.97.180\|talk]]) 18:14, 19 January 2020 (UTC)		What is the meaning of life? [[Special:Contributions/68.129.97.180\|68.129.97.180]] ([[User talk:68.129.97.180\|talk]]) 18:14, 19 January 2020 (UTC)
			:We're here because our respective parents conceived us. As to the meaning of life, read [[Meaning of life]] for some possible insights. ←[[User:Baseball Bugs\|Baseball Bugs]] <sup>''[[User talk:Baseball Bugs\|What's up, Doc?]]''</sup> [[Special:Contributions/Baseball_Bugs\|carrots]]→ 18:37, 19 January 2020 (UTC)