Jane Alexander

Joined: Apr 26, 2021

Jane Alexander is a freelance writer based in the UK. She focuses on literature, history, and the visual arts, and has previously written for Londonist, among other publications.

James Cowan Smith really wanted people at the National Gallery in Edinburgh to see this painting of his deceased dog, Callum.

6 Unusual Bequests Left to Art Galleries and Museums

This winged being is the Archangel Raphael, not Cupid.

8 Other Patron Saints of Love Besides St. Valentine

The History of How Each Month’s Full Moon Got its Name

A man checking out Caspar David Friedrich’s ‘The Sea of Ice.’

9 Winter Paintings Inspired by Real Events

A dreidel and pile of chocolate gelt are a common sight during Hanukkah celebrations.

The Surprising History of the Hanukkah Dreidel

It’s often said the dreidel was a way Jewish people communicated their faith during ancient times of oppression. But the Hanukkah game is actually a lot more recent.

The Lord of Misrule overlooking Christmas revelry.

10 Old Christmas Traditions We Don't See Anymore

These lost festive traditions are no longer part of modern Christmas celebrations.

Charles Dickens is just one person who left a mark on the holiday season.

9 People Who Shaped Christmas

Historical figures like Charles Dickens, Thomas Nast, Washington Irving, and even Queen Charlotte all helped create Christmas as we know it.

You may not want to be alone in some of these libraries.

6 Supposedly Haunted Libraries

Libraries are usually quiet, secluded spots. But not all are as peaceful as they may seem.

7 Supposedly Haunted Artworks

From a weeping statue to painting that moves on its own, the stories behind these supposedly haunted pieces of art are downright spooky.

Who pulled off these heists has never officially been determined.

6 Infamous Unsolved Bank Robberies

Whether they were tunneling into vaults or blowing their way into them through church walls, these thieves were brazen—and in each case, whodunit remains a mystery.

7 Tips for Keeping Cut Flowers Fresh

Unfortunately, those blooms you clipped from your home garden or snagged from a local farmer’s market won’t last forever.

Vanderlei Lima getting attacked by Neil Horan at the 2004 Summer Olympics.

10 Scandals That Rocked the Summer Olympics

Though the Games are meant to foster a sense of unity among nations, they’ve seen their fair share of scandal—and even tragedy.

Paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to some interesting interpretations.

8 Interesting Interpretations of Famous Artworks

It’s no surprise that paintings like ‘The Scream,’ ‘The Starry Night,’ and ‘Mona Lisa’ have been subject to myriad interpretations over the years—some more bizarre than others.

You’ll probably never see a manticore in the wild.

10 Strange Creatures That Prowl the Pages of Medieval Bestiaries

Contrary to what was once assumed, medieval people did not necessarily believe all these odd beasts actually existed.

“Frère Jacques”: The History of the Classic Nursery Rhyme

This simple nursery rhyme comes with a number of unanswered questions about everything from its authorship to who inspired it.

George Washington went by a code name during the Revolutionary War. (And technically, he should be saying, “Hello, my 411 is 711”—411 was the code for “name.”)

12 Historical Code Words and Phrases

Asking a police officer “do you drink?” in the 1970s had nothing to do with grabbing a beer at a nearby bar.