Dear Blog,

I’ve been meaning to write again for weeks, months, but now am determined to continue again, if only with a few paragraphs, every fortnight. I’m now thoroughly into my AHRC Leaders Fellowship, editing and annotating the letters of Humphry Davy. It’s going to be difficult to do everything that I’ve promised but I’ve got a timetable and mini-goals to try to keep me on track. I’m especially trying to focus on the work itself so am trying to limit my emailing to an hour and a half early in the morning each day. This is quite hard and means that things just get left undone. But, if I’m not strict with myself, I won’t get done what needs to be done…
Which is, three letters per day every working day for this academic year. It took me five weeks to do the 25 letters for 1814 which is far too slow. I’m going to try to get the 74 1816 letters done in the next four weeks… Hmmm… I think I’m getting the hang of it. I absolutely love the work. I have to find out about such a variety of stuff! In 1814 it was all about Europe because Davy was travelling through France, Italy and Switzerland. I’ve had to find out about people, places, publications and lots of other things that don’t begin with ‘p’. I can’t tell you the pleasure I have when I work something out (if it hasn’t taken me far too long!). It’s difficult though. I spent a fair bit of time (probably too much) trying to find out who the French chemist de la Rive’s aunt was. (I think I did it though!) I’ve started to email experts more now and to use mailing lists to ask questions. All help will of course be gratefully received. I’m learning so much. And it’s a thrill when you read another editor’s ‘Untraced’ and know that you have managed to trace the person in question.
1816 will be all about the safety lamp and so it’s a new set of questions and topics and people being written to. Will let you know how I get on…

Best,

Sx