/u/ubccompscistudent's posts in /r/askhistorians

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In 1639, John Harvard left £779 and his library to what soon became Harvard College. Was this a great sum of money at the time? What did the administration do with the funds?

1385 upvotes

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In the show Deadwood, set in the late 1800’s, one character catches another character attempting to sign a letter with her “false hand”. What were the implications of signing with the wrong hand? How common was this and was it actually something routinely scrutinized by concerned parties?

9 upvotes

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Were famous artists (authors, musicians, composers, painters, actors) knighted in previous centuries as often as they have over the last century?

8 upvotes

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How common was theft and robbery during the US/Canadian gold rushes?

6 upvotes

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Would ancient roman or medieval generals spectate (or send trusted scouts to spectate) battles between other nations to gain intel?

3 upvotes

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Did westerners in the very early 1900's have intimate knowledge of the previous 5-10 decades as we currently do about the 20th century?

2 upvotes

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How many soldiers fought in the Battle of Edington/Ethandun on each side? What was the population of Wessex and England at the time?

1 upvotes

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Which man from history bore the most children (that has been reliably confirmed)? Which woman?

1 upvotes

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Title	Upvotes	Mark as read	Favorited	Rating	Add to a list
In 1639, John Harvard left £779 and his library to what soon became Harvard College. Was this a great sum of money at the time? What did the administration do with the funds?	1385
In the show Deadwood, set in the late 1800’s, one character catches another character attempting to sign a letter with her “false hand”. What were the implications of signing with the wrong hand? How common was this and was it actually something routinely scrutinized by concerned parties?	9
Were famous artists (authors, musicians, composers, painters, actors) knighted in previous centuries as often as they have over the last century?	8
How common was theft and robbery during the US/Canadian gold rushes?	6
Would ancient roman or medieval generals spectate (or send trusted scouts to spectate) battles between other nations to gain intel?	3
Did westerners in the very early 1900's have intimate knowledge of the previous 5-10 decades as we currently do about the 20th century?	2
How many soldiers fought in the Battle of Edington/Ethandun on each side? What was the population of Wessex and England at the time?	1
Which man from history bore the most children (that has been reliably confirmed)? Which woman?	1