After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds & the Paranormal The Human Cost of Fame
Mar 16, 2026
Greg Jenner, public historian and author of Dead Famous, guides a lively tour of fame’s strange history. He traces celebrity back to ancient notoriety, explains five pillars that make someone famous, and recounts scandalous figures from Herostratus to Edmund Kean. Short, surprising stories reveal how fame has always mixed adoration, commerce and moral drama.
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Celebrity Is Not A Modern Invention
- Celebrity culture is centuries old and recognisable by the 18th century, not simply a modern invention.
- Greg Jenner traced consistent patterns of fame back 300 years, arguing celebrity's core dynamics predate Hollywood and influencers.
Five Criteria That Define Historical Celebrity
- Jenner's five criteria for historical celebrity include being known to strangers, unique personal charisma, obsession with personal life, dissemination infrastructure, and a commercial economy.
- He notes influencers break the last two pillars because followers opt in and influencers may be famous only within niche audiences.
Herostratus Burned A Wonder To Be Famous
- Herostratus burned a wonder of the ancient world specifically to become known, prompting authorities to try to erase his name.
- Jenner uses this case to show fame's ancient lure and the paradox that attempts to erase notoriety often spread it further.
