... attempt to blow up the Observatory during Queen Victoria’s reign, an incident which provided the inspiration for one of Joseph Conrad’s novels. has remained the official “astronomical yearbook” ever since; and during the regime of the immensely capable ...

... cause the government to arm or even expand the police force, let alone pass Lord Salisbury’s Aliens Bill. Then in 1907 Joseph Conrad offered his own version, in one of the most famous detective novels of the century: The Secret Agent. Writing 17 years ...