Papers by William E . Burns
Expanded version of some notes I made for a tv project on the "greatest inventions of all time." ... more Expanded version of some notes I made for a tv project on the "greatest inventions of all time." Didn't work out, as is the way of tv things.
An essay commissioned for a history of science project that never got published. Some revisions ... more An essay commissioned for a history of science project that never got published. Some revisions since then.
An expanded version of a reference article on the various Holy Lances.
Written for an encyclopedia of the history of technology that got mysteriously cancelled.
Another from the cancelled history of technology encyclopedia.
Another from the cancelled history of technology encyclopedia.
Brief biographical sketch written for a reference book on the Industrial Revolution that ended up... more Brief biographical sketch written for a reference book on the Industrial Revolution that ended up not using it.
Another short piece cut from the Industrial Revolution reference.
I wrote this for a pop history magazine, but alas they didn't want it.
Written for a textbook project on early modern queens that didn't pan out.
A lightly edited version of a talk given to the Mayflower Society, 2007.,
For a colonial America encyclopedia that never got off the ground.
This got cut for reasons of space from a larger project on colonial American literature.
Written for a world history encyclopedia, which eventually decided they didn't have room for it. ... more Written for a world history encyclopedia, which eventually decided they didn't have room for it. A few additions since then.
I wrote this for an educational database that was collecting document commentaries. After I wrot... more I wrote this for an educational database that was collecting document commentaries. After I wrote it they told me, oops, they meant another speech beginning "beloved brethren." They still paid me, so I'm happy.
I wrote this for an encyclopedia of slavery, but they wanted it cut by about a third. This is th... more I wrote this for an encyclopedia of slavery, but they wanted it cut by about a third. This is the original longer version.
Another short piece cut from the Industrial Revolution reference.
A short biographical article on Irish-American soldier and trans man Albert Cashier, written for ... more A short biographical article on Irish-American soldier and trans man Albert Cashier, written for a reference book on the American Civil War. For the published version the editor, without consulting or even informing me, changed the pronouns to female. I'm still kind of mad about that. For the record, the original version appears here. Language is a little outdated.
I wrote this for a reference book on the 1920s. It includes a short annotated bibliography.
I wrote this for an encyclopedia of the American culture wars, but the editor decided he didn't w... more I wrote this for an encyclopedia of the American culture wars, but the editor decided he didn't want it for some reason. It covers the period to 2004.
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Papers by William E . Burns
Second update as of 5/31/2023 with some work from the last few years and a new section on art and iconography. Since there really hasn't been very much interest, this will probably be the last big update I do. if there's something you would like to see included, message me and I'll see if I can fit it in.
An updated version, as of 7/19/2022. About half again as long as the first version, with many listings added in the "Clocks, Watches and Sundials" category, and a new section of mostly new listings, "Philosophy of Time." As before, its an ongoing project, and I'm happy to hear suggestions from anyone. Particular thanks to Rosario Mosello.