It has been an incredibly busy first half of the year and there will be no slowing down any time soon. I’m really excited to say that I now have a publisher for my debut history book – it is likely to be hitting shelves in or around November 2026, if all goes to plan!
I understand my publisher will be announcing the book later on this year, so I can’t share any more information for now. I’m sitting on my hands. Metaphorically, anyway.
Literally, my hands are manically bashing away at writing this thing in between my full time day job – which is currently dominated by promoting the British Science Festival, among other science engagement and education initiatives; parenting a toddler; and writing a large chapter for a women’s wrestling book, which will also be out next year.
The hands are tired (and usually covered in some form of baby food).
As previously mentioned, I will not be working on any new research posts for this blog over the next year. But a few really cool things have recently happened, or are about to happen, which I am summarising here:
BBC History Magazine
The August issue of Britain’s best selling history magazine – BBC History – was published on July 10th and features a chunky article by me about five (technically six) of my favourite or most fascinating 1880s boxers: Jem Smith, Hezekiah Moscow, The Sisters Mills, Alf Ball and Sugar Goodson. The Editors did a fantastic job with the copy and layout, although my introductory section was cut, which means there’s no real explanation as to why I’m writing about the 1880s and why I’m witing on these boxers specifically. But, there’s some great photos! And it is a huge privilege to be able to write for the publication.
The astonishing Albert Pearce (and the actress who married a sausage seller…)
Research continues on the incredible story of Albert Pearce. But not by me.
After piecing together Albert’s story across three blogs, I’ve had to give him a rest for now because Albert does not appear in my first book. However, I have been developing an idea for Book II that I can’t wait to get started on, and it focuses largely on Albert, Felix Scott, and the women who loved them.
The two historians who contributed toward my third blog on Albert – Feargal McKay and Andy Mitchell – have found even more fascinating things out about this multi-hyphenated athlete by pulling together various sources I hadn’t previously had access to or been able to find.
It turns out that not only was Albert Pearce a professional walker, a cyclist and a boxer, but he was well known in the 1870s US Black baseball world. He was likely older than we thought and tweaked his age. He might have had something to do with horses? And we know more about his wife, and ‘his’ daughter – the actress. I’ve now got a photo of her! Finally, we know how and when and where he died.
I do not have the time or energy to write a blog four right now or update number three, but I will be continuing to collate information on Albert for that future book…
Finding Felix Scott
Speaking of Felix Scott, the Barbadian Royal Navy stoker turned boxer turned travelling showman: I was stunned recently to receive an email from his great grandson. Tony is only the second great grandson of an 1880s boxer that I’ve had contact from, others are typically great x2, x3 or even x4 (the first was also a Tony – Wannop – great grandson of Jack). Tony knew his great grandfather’s name and he recalled his grandmother Lilian mentioning that her father had been a boxer and her parents travelled with a circus, but I believe most of the information in my blogs was new to him. Tony has sent some wonderful photos of Lilian and her family over to me. Felix’s image remains elusive.
Earlier this summer I was also ecstatic to hear from a great great granddaughter of Jack Wannop, descended through Jack and Miriam’s eldest son, career military man, Joseph Wannop.
I find it incredibly difficult to keep up with regular correspondence at the moment while I’m juggling so many plates. My apologies if you have recently contacted me about your own research or with a request for my help. But it is always so exciting that people reach out to me, especially descendants. It’s just as exciting when they bring new leads, information and pictures to my work as it is to hear that they knew little about their relative and they’ve learned it all from me: it makes the tired hands and brain very worthwhile.
Archive adventures
This month I’ll be heading to the National Archives to work with their education team on a project about Alexander Hayes Munroe, otherwise known as Alec. I can’t say any more yet! A few years back, before A Thousand Blows was on anyone’s radar, my research on Hezekiah, Alec, and Hezekiah’s wife and daughter, Mary Ann and Eliza, was developed by the Archives into a resource pack for GCSE-level pupils to learn about an alternative side to typically-taught Whitechapel history.
Alec and Hezekiah’s true stories capture the imagination of young people – particularly young people of colour who are finally getting to see a different London story and a different take on their long history in it and contribution toward it. Being able to continue this work makes me very happy. Needless to say, both men will also be featuring heavily in my book.
A Thousand Blows series II
Quite a few people have asked me when A Thousand Blows series II is coming out, and whether series III has been commissioned. The short answer is: I have no idea – no one tells me anything. Sorry.
I hope to be able to share some more updates on my debut book in the near future – more to come on this blog and on my BlueSky soon.
Rediscovering the wrestlers and boxers of Late-Victorian London 
Leave a comment