In Our Time

Michael Rowe, a Reader in European History, Katherine Astbury, a Professor of French Studies, and Zack White, an early-career research fellow, delve into Napoleon's audacious return from exile in 1815. They discuss his rapid rise in power, strategic maneuvers to gain support, and the challenges he faced from divided loyalties. The focus shifts to the pivotal Battle of Waterloo and how coalition dynamics played a crucial role in his downfall. They also explore the lasting impact of his final days, highlighting his complex legacy and martyrdom in history.

Join Teresa Bejan, a political theory professor at Oxford, John Gallagher, an early modern history expert from Leeds, and Phil Withington, a history professor at Sheffield, as they explore the multifaceted concept of civility. They discuss its historical evolution from the Renaissance thinkers like Erasmus to Hobbes, and how it informs modern discourse. Delve into the balance between toleration and civil disagreement, and learn why civility remains crucial in navigating diverse opinions today, while also reflecting on its historical misuse in society.

Kelsey Granger, a postdoctoral researcher in Chinese history, shares insights on the cultural significance of dragons in China. Juliette Wood, an expert in Welsh folklore, contrasts Welsh dragons with their male counterparts, exploring gender dynamics. Daniel Ogden, a professor of ancient history, discusses the symbolism of dragons in Greek and Roman mythology. The conversation dives into dragons' evolving roles as terrifying beasts and revered deities across cultures, revealing their influence on literature, national identities, and contemporary media.

Join Rhiannon Purdie, an expert in Older Scots literature, Michael Brown, a scholar of Scottish history, and Steve Boardman, a specialist in the early Stewart kings, as they unravel John Barbour's epic poem 'The Brus'. They discuss its role in depicting Robert the Bruce’s victory at Bannockburn and how Barbour's narrative stirs national pride in Scotland. The conversation explores the poem's historical context and its impact on Scottish identity, as well as the intricacies of medieval chivalry and the cultural significance of the Stewart lineage.

Join experts Jonathan Codd, Steve Brusatte, and Emily Rayfield as they unravel the fascinating evolution of lungs. They discuss how lungs began with ancient fish adapting to land, showcasing the incredible transition from gills to lungs. The guests highlight striking continuities in respiratory systems, from tiny birds to massive dinosaurs. Bet you didn't know hiccups trace back to our amphibious ancestors! This enlightening conversation also touches on unique adaptations in birds that enable high-altitude flight, offering a whole new perspective on breathing.

Diane Silverthorne, an art historian focused on Vienna 1900, Mark Berry, a professor specializing in music and intellectual history, and Leslie Topp, an architecture historian, delve into the dynamic world of the Vienna Secession. They discuss how Gustav Klimt led this artistic revolution in 1897 to blend fine art, music, and design against a backdrop of Vienna's cultural vibrancy. Topics include the significance of Klimt's gold-leaf paintings, the societal impact of Jewish patrons, and the movement's legacy in modernism and architectural innovation.

Catherine Wynne, a Reader in Victorian literature, Devin Terhune, an experimental psychologist, and Quinton Deeley, a neuropsychiatrist, delve into the intriguing history and cultural perceptions of hypnosis. They explore Franz Anton Mesmer's revolutionary techniques and the challenges he faced from the medical community. The discussion reveals the varying degrees of hypnotic susceptibility, its applications in therapy, and the fascinating interplay between language and suggestion. Literary influences, particularly in the 19th century, are also examined, showcasing hypnosis's broad impact.

Chris Clark, Colin Storer, and Anna von der Goltz discuss Paul von Hindenburg, a pivotal figure in early 20th Century German history. They explore his military fame from the Battle of Tannenberg and his controversial presidency during the Weimar Republic. The guests unravel the 'stab in the back' myth he endorsed, which affected Germany's political landscape. They also highlight his dual role as a 'stop Hitler' candidate, ultimately leading to the appointment of Hitler as Chancellor, questioning Hindenburg's legacy and its dark implications for Germany.

In 1710, the British Parliament passed a piece of legislation entitled An Act for the Encouragement of Learning. It became known as the Statute of Anne, and it was the world’s first copyright law. Copyright protects and regulates a piece of work - whether that's a book, a painting, a piece of music or a software programme. It emerged as a way of balancing the interests of authors, artists, publishers, and the public in the context of evolving technologies and the rise of mechanical reproduction. Writers and artists such as Alexander Pope, William Hogarth and Charles Dickens became involved in heated debates about ownership and originality that continue to this day - especially with the emergence of artificial intelligence. With:Lionel Bently, Herchel Smith Professor of Intellectual Property Law at the University of CambridgeWill Slauter, Professor of History at Sorbonne University, ParisKatie McGettigan, Senior Lecturer in American Literature at Royal Holloway, University of London. Producer: Eliane GlaserReading list:Isabella Alexander, Copyright Law and the Public Interest in the Nineteenth Century (Hart Publishing, 2010)Isabella Alexander and H. Tomás Gómez-Arostegui (eds), Research Handbook on the History of Copyright Law (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2016)David Bellos and Alexandre Montagu, Who Owns this Sentence? A History of Copyrights and Wrongs (Mountain Leopard Press, 2024)Oren Bracha, Owning Ideas: The Intellectual Origins of American Intellectual Property, 1790-1909 (Cambridge University Press, 2016)Elena Cooper, Art and Modern Copyright: The Contested Image (Cambridge University Press, 2018)Ronan Deazley, On the Origin of the Right to Copy: Charting the Movement of Copyright Law in Eighteenth Century Britain, 1695–1775 (Hart Publishing, 2004)Ronan Deazley, Rethinking Copyright: History, Theory, Language (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2006)Ronan Deazley, Martin Kretschmer and Lionel Bently (eds.), Privilege and Property: Essays on the History of Copyright (Open Book Publishers, 2010)Marie-Stéphanie Delamaire and Will Slauter (eds.), Circulation and Control: Artistic Culture and Intellectual Property in the Nineteenth Century (Open Book Publishers, 2021) Melissa Homestead, American Women Authors and Literary Property, 1822-1869 (Cambridge University Press, 2005)Adrian Johns, Piracy: The Intellectual Property Wars from Gutenberg to Gates (University of Chicago Press, 2009)Meredith L. McGill, American Literature and the Culture of Reprinting, 1834-1853 (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002)Mark Rose, Authors and Owners: The Invention of Copyright (Harvard University Press, 1993)Mark Rose, Authors in Court: Scenes from the Theater of Copyright (Harvard University Press, 2018)Catherine Seville, Internationalisation of Copyright: Books, Buccaneers and the Black Flag in the Nineteenth Century (Cambridge University Press, 2006)Brad Sherman and Lionel Bently, The Making of Modern Intellectual Property Law (Cambridge University Press, 1999)Will Slauter, Who Owns the News? A History of Copyright (Stanford University Press, 2019)Robert Spoo, Without Copyrights: Piracy, Publishing and the Public Domain (Oxford University Press, 2013)In Our Time is a BBC Studios Audio production

In this discussion, Frank Close, a theoretical physicist, Steven Bramwell, a condensed matter physics expert, and Jess Wade, a materials science researcher, dive into the life of Lise Meitner, a groundbreaking female physicist. They explore her pivotal role in discovering nuclear fission while facing significant societal challenges. The conversation highlights her collaborations with Otto Hahn and her moral stance against the military use of her discoveries. They also examine the impacts of political persecution on her career and her eventual, albeit delayed, recognition in the scientific community.