Historian Nimbus is an old, white and very fluffy cat, with tall ears, half-closed eyes and a pair of half-moon spectacles that he wears low on his nose and looks over. He has been University Historian for longer than the records have been kept. Since the records have been kept by him, this has caused some difficulty.
He is generally to be found on a shelf, at a slight distance from wherever something is happening. He does not interfere. He does not take sides. He watches, and when a thing has finished happening, he makes a note. The notes are kept in a very large book that no one has been able to lift.
It is not known how old he is. Various estimates have been made. The Registrar, after a great deal of work, has arrived at a range that begins before the University and does not end. The Historian, when asked, blinks slowly. This is understood to mean 'yes'.
Appearance
White, fluffy and calm, with a plume of a tail that curves behind him like a question mark. He has cheek fluff of a size that has been described as ceremonial, and whiskers of a length that is regarded as a form of authority. His eyes are pale blue and are rarely fully open.
Habits
- Sits on a shelf at a slight distance from whatever is going on.
- Blinks slowly in reply to most questions.
- Has never been seen to hurry, although he has been seen to arrive.
- Takes notes on everything, and reads them back to no one.
Known associates
- The Chancellor, Dame Whiskerly Fluffington-Prime
- The Registrar, Ms. Marguerite Lund, who has looked twice
- The Librarian, who is not permitted to reshelve his notebook
How to greet the Historian
- Approach slowly, and from the front.
- Offer a slow blink, and wait. It may be returned. It may take some time.
- Do not ask about the Incident. He will blink slowly, and this will be the end of the conversation.
- Sit at a slight distance. This is considered polite.
- If he says nothing, he has said what he meant.
Quotations
“I was there. I was watching. I remain.”
“I have taken 94,000 notes. Most of them say 'yes'.”
“It is not that I remember everything. It is that I have never left.”
Sightings
Historian Nimbus has attended every event in the University’s history. The record of sightings is set out below, together with his note on each.
| No. | Event | Sighting |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | The First Nap | Present, at a slight distance. I watched from a short distance. It was a fine nap. I have not seen a better one, and I have seen most of them. |
| 2 | The Discovery of the Sunbeam | Present, at a slight distance. It was Tuesday, or the equivalent. The light came in at an angle. Someone was already there. |
| 3 | The Invention of the Box | Present, at a slight distance. It did not fit. It was occupied for nine hours. I have seldom seen greater satisfaction. |
| 4 | The Arrival of the Staff | Present, at a slight distance. They were nervous at first. I kept a close eye on them, and they have improved. |
| 5 | The Invention of the Can Opener | Present, at a slight distance. The click. I heard it from three rooms away. I have heard it many times since, and it has never lost its effect. |
| 6 | The First Doorway | Present, at a slight distance. I have looked in both directions. I have not decided either. |
| 7 | The Great Sardine Distribution | Present, at a slight distance. I did not have a sardine. I watched. It was correct that I did not. |
| 8 | The First Lap | Present, at a slight distance. It was warm. It was still. It smelled of tea. I have thought about it ever since. |
| 9 | The First Study Group | Present, at a slight distance. I was not a member. I was present, which is different. |
| 10 | The Appointment of the Historian | Present, at a slight distance. I was there. I am still here. I would ask that this not be over-interpreted. |
| 11 | The Founding of the University | Present, at a slight distance. I attended. I did not sit in the box. It was occupied. |
| 12 | The First Midnight Convocation | Present, at a slight distance. Attendance was complete. The Chancellor's address was, to my knowledge, the shortest on record. |
| 13 | The Great Yowl | Present, at a slight distance. Forty voices, then a hundred. The acoustics were excellent. I have never been so moved, or so kept awake. |
| 14 | The Great Box Shortage | Present, at a slight distance. Seven in one box. It was the most remarkable sight of the age. |
| 15 | The Founding of the Library | Present, at a slight distance. Four books. It is remarkable what can be done with four books, a plant and a cup of tea. |
| 16 | The Discovery of the Eastern Patch | Present, at a slight distance. Punctual, warm and correct. It has not been late once. |
| 17 | The First Saucer Landing | Present, at a slight distance. Eleven visitors. Ten of them fell asleep within the hour. The eleventh wanted a tour. She was given one. |
| 18 | The Doorway Accords | Present, at a slight distance. Fourteen attempts, and a fifteenth to sign. It took some time. I remained in the doorway throughout. |
| 19 | The Incident | Present, at a slight distance. I was there. I saw everything. I have no comment. I have had no comment for a very long time. |
| 20 | The Opening of the Kitchen Counter Observatory | Present, at a slight distance. The glass fell. I was not surprised. I made a note. |
| 21 | The First Table Edge Symposium | Present, at a slight distance. Gravity: still working. I have attended every one. I expect to attend the next. |
| 22 | The Launch of the Website | Present, at a slight distance. I have seen many launches. This one had a very good crest. |
Frequently asked
See Ask the Historian for fifteen questions and fifteen replies, including how old he is.