Philosopher William Godwin was a force to be reckoned with in the intellectual life of late 18th and early 19th century London. What’s more, he looms larger-than-life in my new release, Maggie Almond and the Scandalous Sister.

Today the poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley would face a #metoo style reckoning for his treatment of his first wife, Harriet.

Women were putty in the hands of the Romantic poet, Lord Byron. But it beats me what the ladies saw in him.

Mary Wollstonecraft was a trail-blazing feminist who had her reputation ruined by the man who loved her.

Movies like Pirates of the Caribbean and Treasure Island have spread so many false ideas about pirates that nearly all the average person knows about this group of high seas marauders is completely wrong. Thanks so much Disney!