Molly Dowdeswell
Molly graduated from the University of Birmingham with a master's degree in early modern history and from Swansea University with a bachelor’s degree in history. She has a long-standing interest in the subject and enjoys researching and writing on a broad range of historical topics and is most interested in the history of medicine and disease. Molly is currently working as a writer based in Birmingham, England and is planning on returning to university to complete a PhD in history.
Articles by Molly Dowdeswell
Louis Pasteur: The Scientist Who Discovered Vaccines & PasteurizationLouis Pasteur made incredible contributions to the history of medicine, and the theory of pasteurization made him a household name.
10 Crazy Facts About the History of SyphilisSyphilis is a disease shrouded in terror and pain; it was heavily stigmatized and often used as an insult. Here are 10 facts about its history.
Syphilis is a disease shrouded in terror and pain; it was heavily stigmatized and often used as an insult. Here are 10 facts about its history.
Robert Koch: Great Microbiologist or Unethical Researcher?Robert Koch made important contributions to the development of modern medicine and researched diseases like TB and Cholera.
Robert Koch made important contributions to the development of modern medicine and researched diseases like TB and Cholera.
The Horrors of Gangrene During the American Civil WarGangrene caused pain and suffering for many soldiers during the American Civil War. From acid to amputation, treatment was not much better than death.
Gangrene caused pain and suffering for many soldiers during the American Civil War. From acid to amputation, treatment was not much better than death.
6 Crazy Examples of Biological Warfare Used throughout HistoryUncover the six craziest examples of biological warfare throughout history, from the ancient Romans to the First World War.
Uncover the six craziest examples of biological warfare throughout history, from the ancient Romans to the First World War.
Did Renaissance Artists Really Use Cadavers to Learn Anatomy?Cadavers were used by both scientists and artists throughout history to learn anatomy. Doing so provided artists with the skills to create realistic and detailed humans in their art.
4 Diseases that Don’t Exist AnymoreFrom smallpox to diphtheria, history has seen some gruesome diseases which made people’s lives miserable and uncomfortable.
From smallpox to diphtheria, history has seen some gruesome diseases which made people’s lives miserable and uncomfortable.
The Glass Delusion: An Affliction Suffered by Mostly Nobility?Mental illness has plagued humanity for as long as it has existed. One of the most puzzling manifestations of this was the glass delusion.
5 Curious Facts about Science in the Medieval PeriodMedieval science has a reputation for being incorrect and superstitious, but was this actually the case? These facts prove that there was more to medieval science than we may think.
Medieval science has a reputation for being incorrect and superstitious, but was this actually the case? These facts prove that there was more to medieval science than we may think.
4 ‘Mad’ Royals in History: Was It Mental Illness?Monarchs like George III and Caligula are known for being 'mad' royals, but how did they experience mental illness in a world without modern medicine?
The Four Humors as Depicted in Art (4 Examples)The four humors was a theory that dominated medical thinking for centuries. Because of this, it affected people’s lives and appeared in a lot of artwork throughout history.
The four humors was a theory that dominated medical thinking for centuries. Because of this, it affected people’s lives and appeared in a lot of artwork throughout history.
Florence Nightingale: The Lady with the LampFlorence Nightingale is famous for the impact she had on healthcare in the 1800s. But where did it all start, and how did she become “The Lady with the Lamp”?
Florence Nightingale is famous for the impact she had on healthcare in the 1800s. But where did it all start, and how did she become “The Lady with the Lamp”?