Culture

Actor Boris Karloff as Frankenstein's Monster in James Whale’s classic 1931 film. (Bettmann/Getty Images)

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: the birth of a gothic monster

Lithograph portrait of Scottish poet Robert Burns. (Photo by Stock Montage/Getty Images)

7 facts about Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard

The inner courtyard of the old pottery factory at Gladstone Pottery Museum, with its five towering bottle ovens. (Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images)

History explorer The Gladstone Pottery Museum

An Australian Sea Shanty band, c1988

A brief history of sea shanties

David Hepworth tells the story of the British rock bands. (Image by Getty Images)

When British pop invaded America

The city Bhaktapur looming over the Kathmandu valley

The hippy trail: a pan-Asian journey through history

Jerry Brotton on the Renaissance. (Image by Getty Images)

The Renaissance: everything you wanted to know

Extract from Domesday Book.

Your guide to the Domesday Book: the most important document in English history?

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie in profile: facts about her life

Biographer Ron Chernow discusses the extraordinary life of the American Founding Father who inspired a hit musical. (Image by Getty Images)

Editor’s pick: Ron Chernow on Alexander Hamilton

Three medieval carol singers, image dated 1911. (Photo by Chronicle/Alamy Stock Photo)

Christmas carols: the history behind 9 festive favourites

Shocked and despondent Lennon fans gather in New York’s Central Park to mourn his death (Photo by Luiz Alberto/Keystone/Getty Images)

The death of John Lennon: what happened?

Alfred Nobel (Bettmann/Getty Images)

The history of the Nobel Prizes

Even the ancient Egyptian played board games – this fresco from the tomb of Nefertari shows the queen playing Senet

8 of the best historical board games for history lovers

Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II) and Princess Margaret as Prince Charming and Cinderella in a 1941 pantomime

Q&A What are the origins of the Christmas pantomime?