Charles Dickens Takes America

Edwin Howard Armstrong isn’t exactly a well-known inventor, but his work in radio literally changed communications around the globe. But his most famous invention – FM radio – became a source of constant frustration after he developed it. Research: Armstrong, Edwin H. “Frequency ... Show More

Before the ballpoint pen, people used their hands, reeds, bamboo, brushes, quills, and eventually nibs to write or draw. But how did things evolve from there to get to things like the fountain pen, and eventually, a ballpoint? Research: "pen." Britannica Library, Encyclopædia Bri ... Show More

This 2022 episode starts with the story of John Bibb, credited with cultivating Bibb lettuce. But his family’s legacy, good and bad, is all tied to having enslaved people build their familial wealth. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

Charles Dickens is considered one of the greatest novelists of the Victorian Age. His works shone a light on prevalent issues of his era, such as poverty, disease, and inequality, and called for widespread social change. Since Dickens’ time, his books have been translated into 15 ... Show More

Charles Dickens was a master of managing his personal brand. In fact, almost everything we know about him comes from one biography, written by his friend John Forster. But, if you dig a little deeper, strange biographical inconsistencies begin to emerge. Speaking to Ellie Cawthor ... Show More

We all know he wrote the original Muppet Christmas Carol, but what else is there to know about Charles Dickens? From a childhood working in the factories of Victorian London, to becoming a literary superstar with books such as Oliver Twist and Great Expectations, join Greg Jenner ... Show More

On this episode of Our American Stories, Kentucky journalist Sam Terry tells the story of William King Solomon, a gravedigger who may have saved the town of Lexington during the Cholera epidemic of 1833; and TJ Stiles tells the humble story of Cornelius Vanderbilt and how he beca ... Show More

Guess what, Myrtle Beasts? Charles is coming to LA! Charles and Link discuss their big plans for his visit, and Charles teaches Link how to write and pronounce their names in Japanese. The two tell stories of being fired from jobs, talk about the most amazing inventions of their ... Show More

Look out England, there's a new king in town! And he's an old man who has done a lot of silly things in his life. This week we're taking a deep dive into the life and times of King Charles III to decide if we approve of his coronation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor ... Show More

Acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns tells Elinor Evans about the life and accomplishments of Benjamin Franklin – a man who both loved Britain but became a key figure in American independence, and who was a slave-owner yet later campaigned for abolition. Burns also talks about the chall ... Show More

Born in Africa and transported as a slave to America, this Revolutionary War era poet became the darling of London and charmed notable figures of American history along the way. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices 

Colin Lowther and Anne Muir look at one of England’s greatest writers, Charles Dickens. He was born 200 years ago, but readers still love his books now. 

Historian John Steele Gordon tells the story of how the telegraph went from Samuel Morse to winning WWI and how one man spearheaded the effort to connect America to Great Britain and, in doing so, the rest of the world. Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) ... Show More