Sixty years ago today, the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to enter outer space. @Andrew_Crumey looks at his role in the space race.

https://literaryreview.co.uk/one-giant-leap-for-mankind

On the night of 5th July 1809, a group of soldiers kidnapped Pope Pius VII on the orders of Napoleon Bonaparte. Munro Price looks at what happened next.

https://literaryreview.co.uk/bonaparte-meets-his-match

'She lived in a damp basement with her mother and sister, smoking roll-ups and talking to her parrot.'

Joanna Kavenna traces the life of the 'almost-forgotten poet' Charlotte Mew.

https://literaryreview.co.uk/she-hated-poetry-readings