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Tim Causer

@timcauser.bsky.social
1.7K followers 1.1K following 144 posts

Principal Research Fellow, Bentham Project, @ucllaws.bsky.social Editing Bentham's works and correspondence. Historian of convict transportation and the Norfolk Island penal station.

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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
During his last week Samson sat in the sun and felt the breeze, smelled the flowers, and listened to the birds. He was the best. Love you always, buddy.
A one-eyed black and white cat sitting on the grass between my legsA one eyed black and white cat sat in my lap, leaning over my thighA one eye-d black and white cat sprawled in my lap
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
After nearly six wonderful years together, last week Samson fell asleep in my arms. He was the greatest, most handsome little mate I could have wished for. I was so lucky I got to rescue him.
A one-eyed black and white cat caught mid yawn with his paw outstretched, making it look like he is in shockA one eyed blak and white cat sat in his bed with his white paws curled underneath himA one eyed black and white cat standing and looking to camera while licking his nose
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
A screenshot from the Simpsons, with a man in glasses with a Brazil flag over him asking 'You won your World Cup opening match? YOU?' to Homer Simpson, who has a Scotland flag on him and replies 'Sure! You haven't?'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
And there it is
A copy of The Correspondence of Jeremy Bentham Volume 14, standing on a desk
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Five years ago today since this little guy arrived from the RSPCA
A black and white cat, with only one eyed and ears pricked up, laying down with one paws in front of him
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 01/12/2025
Published today - 'Essays on Logic, Ethics, and Universal Grammar' edited by Philip Schofield, the latest volume of The Collected Works of Jeremy Bentham Available in hardback, paperback, and as a free open-access PDF from UCL Press: uclpress.co.uk/book/essays-...
The cover of a book reading 'The Collected Works of Jeremy Bentham. Essays on Logic, Ethics, and Universal Grammar', edited by Philip Schofield' and with the UCL Press logo. The writing is in gold on a blue background
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 21/11/2025
And the cherry on top is that the sign is back, too
The sign for the Jeremy Bentham pub, carrying his name and wooden caricature of an old, white haired man
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
It's been receiving votive offerings
A wooden box containing a plastic head supposed to look like Jeremy Bentham, in front of which someone has laid a hand-drawn picture of a cartoon rabbit
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 15/10/2025
Thought lost when it closed in 2017, the Jeremy Bentham pub on University Street has risen from the ashes
The Jeremy Bentham pub on University Street, with green walls, benches, and a drawing of Bentham on a sign by the door
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 22/09/2025
Anyone who frequented the Jeremy Bentham pub (d. 2016) on University Street may recognise Bentham House's newest art installation
A wooden box with a glass front sat on a table. The box contains a plastic head supposed to look like Jeremy Bentham, and is wearing a dark jacket, white shirt, and a wide brimmed straw hat
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 12/09/2025
Cannot believe that I missed the massive Bentham bear at this week's UCL Laws graduation. Torn between thinking it's cute versus it being nightmare fuel
Someone dressed in the same clothes as Jeremy Bentham's auto-icon, namely a dark jacket, cream shirt with a ruffle, and a wide-brimmed hat - but it's a large teddy bear
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 15/08/2025
Diagnosed with diabetes two years ago today and still (usually) taking it in his stride
A black and white one-eyed cat, with both white front paws in front of him, sat next to a blue toy bird (which he is scared of)
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 23/07/2025
Can't quite believe they are leaving gold like this up online for us all to enjoy brand.warwick.ac.uk/en/brand-gui...
University of Warwick's 'tone of voice guidelines', telling people that 'Using "Beyond" as an abstract noun captures the idea that "Beyond" is a conceptual space where limits are exceeded', while warning that '"Beyond" headlines should not be used by individual departments, societies, or other component parts of Warwick for day-to-day communications'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
It's quite warm today in London
A black and white cat sleeping on its back on a hard floor to keep cool, with its back legs in the air
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
2005: in Edinburgh, saw the brilliant Martha Wainwright tour her debut album at the Queen's Hall 2025: at the Union Chapel at the 20th(!!!) anniversary tour of the album And, for a couple hours I am 23 again
Martha Wainwright,  guitar in hand
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
Goodnight to the Ginger Prince
Kevin de Bruyne waves goodbye to the Manchester City's fans on his last home appearance
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 19/05/2025
A letter from 'A Loyalist' in the Morning Herald, 12-14 June 1800, suggests that the island of Van Diemen's Land 'should be called by the name of New South Britain'
A letter to the editor of the Morning Herald, 12-14 June 1800, suggests that the island of Van Diemen's Land, since 'in all probability it will be peopled from Great Britain, should be called by the name New South Britain'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
This master criminal has managed to pull off two glucose monitors within a week
A one- eyed black and white cat, licking his lips, with a shaved patch on which a white glucose monitor has been attached
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
endlessscream.gif
An email from 'FT Professional', informing me I have access to 'Ask FT' which produces AI-generated answers from Financial Times 'content'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 29/04/2025
Over to the electors of Dickson for the chance to do the funniest thing
A list of candidates standing in the Australian federal election for the electorate of Dickson, the seat of the current leader of the Liberal National Party, Peter Dutton
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 27/04/2025
We're not really here
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
A couple of lesser-known pencil sketches of Bentham's panopticon, dates unknown From the Bentham Papers @uclspeccoll.bsky.social , Box 157, folios 70 and 71
A pencil sketch of the front to the panopticon building, with a staircase leading up into it and a tower atop the centre.A pencil sketch of a circular building, with steps leading up to a front door and a tower atop the centre.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
* 7 1/2 pence for tea at Warrington * 1 shilling 'To a Countryman for catching my Horse' * shilling 'To a Countryman for picking up my Pocket Book' * 2 shillings lost playing cards at Matlock
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
Expenses paid on Bentham's trip to the Peak District and north of England in August 1768: * 2 shillings and sixpence 'To the Man that shews the Devils Arse in the Peak' * 2 shilling on brandy for said man * sixpence to see the church at Macclesfield * 1 shilling for passage over the Mersey
Bentham's pocketbook, itemising his expenses in a scrawly handBentham's pocketbook, itemising his expenses in a scrawly hand
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 04/04/2025
'There was a Freak took an Ass in the Head' Strong opening to Anianus's fable of the Ass and a Lion's skin, from Sir Roger L'Estrange's 'Fables of Aesop And other Eminent Mythologists', 8th ed., London, 1738
A screenshot of Anianus's Fable of 'An Ass and a Lion's Skin';

There was a Freak took an Ass in the Head, to Scoure abroad upon the Ramble; and away he goes into the Woods, Masquerading up and down in a Lion's Skin. The World was his own for a while, and where-ever he went, Man and Beast fled before him: But he had the Hap in the Conclusion, partly by his Voice, and partly by his Eats, to be Discover'd and consequently Uncased, well Laugh'd at, and well Cudgell'd for his Pains'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 23/03/2025
Post a warning
A sign on a cream wall reading 'Quiet reading area. Dancing and music not permitted'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 11/03/2025
Encountering John Pollexfen Bastard or Edmund Bastard MPs in the Parliamentary Register never ceases to be funny.
An extract from the Parliamentary Register for 1797 which reads: 'Mr. Bastard desired to know if any Member of the Committee might be omitted or changed?'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 21/02/2025
A portrait of Jeremy Bentham with glowing red eyes
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 06/01/2025
The things you have to consult when you edit Bentham...
The title page of A Treatise on the analysis and effect of Manures' by Sutton Thomas Wood, published in 1813
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 31/12/2024
Seeing in the bells with my customary good cheer
Rikki Fulton's character Reverend I.M. Jolly delivering his annual Hogmanay address
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 29/12/2024
That feeling when some git shoves a pill in your mouth for an upset stomach
A one eyed black and white cat, wrapped in a blanket with his front paws showing after having been given a pill.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
9 July 2013, Sir Malcolm Grant's last Council meeting as Provost. Sadly, no known photographic evidence exists of the first time (but if you have some, please get in touch)
The auto-icon sits in on the UCL Council meeting of 9 July 2013, only the second time it has done so. The departing Provost, Sir Malcolm Grant, looks very amused.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 09/12/2024
A myth made real: on 10 February 1976 the University College Committee 'record their continuing faith and trust in the ideals which animated the founders of this University and College', 'Carried unanimously, Mr Jeremy Bentham present but not voting'. The only time this happened until...
The typescript first page of the UCL Council meeting for 10 February 1976, at which Council reaffirmed 'there continuing faith and trust in the ideals which animated the founders of the University and College', which 'Carried unanimously, Mr Jeremy Bentham present but not voting'.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 03/12/2024
Four years, one eye, a dozen or so teeth, and over 800 insulin injections later since Samson moved in. Where does the time go etc
A black and white cat cowering at the back of a carrier, scared out of his fur at his new surroundings. A very relaxed, one eyed black and white cat, sat in his bed with one white paw in front of him.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 02/12/2024
What more could anyone want for Christmas but 'historic prime DNA hair henry clay jeremy bentham #1/10'? Don't know about you but I'm convinced this is totally legit
An ebay listing for 'historic prime DNA hair henry clay jeremy bentham #1/10', featuring a plastic case, photos of Clay and Bentham and, presumably, some hair - but it's hilariously shit and unconvincing
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 01/12/2024
Remarkable looking MS diary 1843-9 by Cecil Rice Arney, the wife of Major Charles Arney of the 58th Regiment, sold at auction on 20 Nov for £36K - covers the voyage to Australia, time at the Norfolk Island penal station, and the Hutt Valley Campaign in New Zealand www.bonhams.com/auction/2988...
Screenshot of two pages from Cecil Rice Arney's handwritten diary
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
'The Last Words of Bentham', according to John Bowring: '". I entered his room—‘Do you know me?’ He smiled and said, ‘Bowring! Bowring! how have you sped?’ I told him of your acceptance and of my prospects. ‘Very good,’ he said, squeezing me by the hands...
‘THE LAST WORDS OF BENTHAM—Dr. BOWRING arrived in London from Blackburn (where he had been canvassing the votes of the electors of that borough) just in time to see his old and long-cherished friend, JEREMY BENTHAM expire. The last words of BENTHAM are thus detailed in the following copy of a letter, written by the Doctor to the Secretary of his Committee:—
	“My dear Sir,—Cordial thanks to you—to all of you, for your ardent and noble exertions. I should have written to you again, but my most venerated and most venerable friend has, by making me his executor, imposed on me so many cares that I can hardly withdraw myself a moment from them. When I returned from Blackburn life was still glimmering, and intellect, too—and almost the last words he uttered were, as I will tell you. I entered his room—‘Do you know me?’ He smiled and said, ‘Bowring! Bowring! how have you sped?’ I told him of your acceptance and of my prospects. ‘Very good,’ he said, squeezing me by the hands. He repeated it perhaps twenty times, till he was exhausted. With you, and with me, was his last breath associated. How much will the beauty and the glory of his memory be connected with my parliamentary exertions! How would I, whom he calls in his will his most intimate—the most confidential of his friends—he, who was honoured with the friendship of all that is illustrious—how could I disgrace a name so holy, great, and good, and wise?”’
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Live footage of me watching City chuck away a 3-0 lead
A one-eyed black and white cat, mid-meow and looking like he is roaring in anger
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 24/11/2024
Post a non-religious photo you think of as holy
Paul Dickov, wearing Manchester City's blue and luminous yellow stripes away kit, on his knees and roaring to the sky in relief - after scoring a 95th-minute equaliser in the 1999 Second Division Playoff Final
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 16/11/2024
'I hear you are trying to write a conference paper'
A one-eyed black and white cat standing on my desk in front of a monitor while I try and work
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 12/11/2024
Left: Actor Stephen Rea Right: Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester, 1531-55 Never seen in the same room
A portrait of Stephen Gardiner, Bishop of Winchester from 1531 to 1555, who looks remarkably like the actor Stephen ReaActor Stephen Rea, who looks remarkably like Stephen Gardiner, sixteenth century bishop
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
My favourite Bentham letter remains his to Joseph Hume, 11 and 12 May 1830: 'Dear Hume Two letters of mine unanswered. This the third. Are you alive?'
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 08/11/2024
The next Bentham volume off the grid will be 'The Correspondence of Jeremy Bentham, Volume 14: Supplementary Letters', edited by Philip Schofield, Chris Riley, and some other geezer who hangs around the place. Featuring over 250 never-before published Bentham Letters, many from his brother Samuel
The title page of The Correspondence of Jeremy Bentham, Volume 14: Supplementary Letters, edited by Philip Schofield, Tim Causer, and Chris Riley
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 05/11/2024
Welcome to my world, Pep
A BBC Football headline reading 'Everything is more difficult now - Guardiola', beneath an exasperated looking Pep Guardiola.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 25/10/2024
'Respected Author'? You've got the wrong person, buddy
A spam email tp me inviting 'Respected Author' to submit work to some journal
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 16/10/2024
The face of someone who thanked the vet for draining an abcess by taking an enormous poo on both the vet and his table
A one eyed black and white cat, looking unrepentant after pooing on the vet.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 08/10/2024
Thanks to the generosity of Michael and Liz Phillips, UCL has acquired two more gold mourning rings bequeathed by Bentham upon his death - those left to Dr Neil Arnott, the physician and inventor, and Henry Bickersteth, first Lord Langdale and a Master of the Rolls www.ucl.ac.uk/culture/news...
Two gold mourning rings on mounts, with a silhouette of Jeremy Bentham in the locket.
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 16/09/2024
He made it - now high as a kite after having three teeth pulled out
A black and white one eyed cat, with his tongue poking out
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 12/09/2024
Really brilliant gift made by one of last year's excellent Bentham LLM module cohort
A keyring with a cartoon Bentham, sat holding his walking stick with a donkey alongside him
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Tim Causer @timcauser.bsky.social · 14/08/2024
Welcome to the party
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