Welcome, fellow editors. My name is Liam Richard Mitchell. I am a recreational editor, contributing to pages regarding Destroyer Escorts in World War 2, the American Revolution, Norse mythology and Viking history, my hometown, and various fantasy franchises, among a few random other things that pique my interest.
I've derived my screen name from Samuel Culper, the primary spy of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution. His history is fascinating to me, and I like to think of myself as his spiritual successor. His patriotism and dedication to the United States inspired me to take a more active interest in our country's politics, current events, and history.
This page is really just my place to safely explore the ins-and-outs of Wikipedia, to learn its language and limits, and grow my editing skills so I can contribute more fully to the site. With that in mind, feel free to explore to learn more about me, my life, and my interests.
Personal Life
I was born May 8, 1997 to Charles F. Mitchell IV, a local politician, and Laura Mitchell (née Tanzella), a homemaker and former registered nurse. I have a fraternal twin brother, Colin Mitchell, and an older sister Sydney Mitchell. We were raised in Warwick, NY and attended St. Stephen-St. Edward Roman Catholic Church. We were baptized and confirmed in this church. After graduating from Warwick Valley High School, I attended Rochester Institute of Technology for two years, then moved to Albany, NY where I worked as a tour guide and duty officer aboard USS Slater. I've now returned to my hometown, where I am a member of the Warwick Historical Society and employed at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in history from Empire State University in December 2023. [1]
Family History
The House of Mitchell
An ancient and noble house, our personal lineage can be traced back through Ireland and Scotland to the time of the Medieval kings. The surname Mitchell is of various origins; in some cases, it is an English derivative of the French given name Michel, itself derived from the ancient Hebrew given name Mikael, meaning "Who is like God"; the modern equivalent of this given name is Michael. In other cases, Mitchell was adopted as an equivalent of Mulvihill; this English-language surname is derived from the Irish-language Ó Maoil Mhichíl, meaning "descendant of the devotee of St. Michael". Whatever its origin, one fact remains resolute; the house of Mitchell is a proud and storied family; the men and women of Mitchell have been leaders of the community, pillars of society, and benefactors of the less fortunate.
Members of my direct line include twin brother Colin, sister Sydney, father Charles IV, aunt Deborah, grandfather Charles III, great-aunt Terry, great-grandfather Charles II, and great-great-grandfather Charles I.
Other Blood Families of Irish Origin
- Farrell - functionally extinct, its last member is Gerald Farrell, my great uncle and godfather with no heirs. Its bloodline continues in me through my grandmother, born Margaret Farrell, married as Margaret Mitchell.
The House of Tanzella
This lineage is one of Italian charm and fortitude, and constitutes one half of my bloodline. A rare surname, our lineage originated in Rome and emigrated to the United States in the late 1890's and early 1900's. It was quickly integrated into the Italian-American community of New York City, and and soon became a respected family within the social framework of the middle 20th century. Although our direct line of Tanzella is functionally extinct with no male heirs, its descendants are spread throughout upstate New York, Massachusetts and Maryland; we seek to continue this legacy and remember the contributions of its honored members for generations to come.
Members of my direct line include mother Laura, aunt Diana, grandfather Richard, great-aunt and godmother Concetta "Nutchie", great-uncle Chris, and great-grandfather "Swissy".
Other Blood Families of Italian Origin
- Alongi - extinct within our direct line, this was the surname of my great-grandmother, before she took the married name Tanzella.
- Paolini - extant in my cousins of Kansas City, Kansas, they are well-known and well-respected tailors, owning a custom suit shop that is famous for its professional athlete clientele, and in me through my grandmother born Carmel Paolini, now name Camille Tanzella.
My Interests
Warwick
This is the town in which I grew up, and spent the first 18 years of my life. I still visit frequently, as my parents still live there. It is a wonderful little town, with a farming town feel mixed with numerous cul-de-sacs. I highly recommend visiting when you can, or coming to our annual Applefest held every October.
- Warwick, New York - the town in which I grew up. Its large and filled with farms, valleys and rivers. A utopia.
- Warwick (village), New York - the village at the center of it all. Picturesque, quaint, yet so much to do and see.
- Warwick Village Historic District - my favorite part of the village. So much hidden history to explore here.
- Stirling Iron Works - the location of forging of the famous Hudson River Chain of the American Revolution.
- New York Renaissance Faire - a blast into the past, a brilliantly recreated British village filled with knights, kings and jousting.
- Orange County, New York - the county where Warwick is. Known for West Point, Woodbury Commons, and Orange County Choppers.
History
Vikings
My interest in Vikings began in 2017, after watching the Netflix original series The Last Kingdom. Even though I realized it was mostly historically inaccurate, specifically regarding the protagonist, I was intrigued by the Viking way of life, and even that of the Norse, Danes and Swedes who never went a-viking. Since then, I have dedicated to reading as many academic and historical texts on the Vikings as possible, including the Prose Edda, the Poetic Edda, Heimskringla, the Saga of Erik the Red, the Saga of the Greenlanders, and The Vikings by Else Roesdahl. Many more books are on the list to read, and they will be added to this list once complete. I've also fully completed Assassin's Creed: Valhalla, a video game based on the Viking invasions of England in the 800's. Again, historically inaccurate, but you learn much from experiencing Viking life first-hand.
- Viking Age - the overarching name for the roughly 300 years of Viking domination in Northern Europe. Although known for their raids on England, Ireland, and France, the Vikings were also extraordinary sailors, reaching as far as Baghdad in the East and North America in the West - the first Europeans to set foot on North America, roughly 500 years before Columbus.
- Odin - the Allfather, king of Asgard and ruler of the Viking World. He sees all, knows all, and expects no weakness in his warriors. He takes on many forms and is known by many names. His final battle against the great wolf Fenrir marks the end of the world.
- Great Heathen Army - the army lead by Ubba and Ivar Ragnarsson against Wessex and King Alfred. Largely successful until the deaths of Ubba and Ivar, it was the first time Vikings came together as an army in the thousands against a common enemy.
- Leif Ericsson - the leader of the first Viking expedition to reach North America. He established a few villages and traded with Natives, but eventually abandoned the land. The first European born in America was called Snorri, son of one of Leif's followers.
- Asgard - the land of the gods, where Odin rules the universe from. It is a literal utopia, connected to Midgard and the other 7 realms by the Bifrost.
- Ragnarok - the Viking apocalypse. Led by Loki and his three children - Hel, goddess of death, Jormungändr, the world snake, and Fenrir, the great wolf. Results in the total annihilation of the gods.
American Revolution
My interest in the American Revolution really began in the 7th grade, in 2010. My teacher, Mr. Tim Cooper, presented American history in such a visceral and poignant way that I was immediately reeled in. Over the years, I've assembled a small library of books regarding the Revolution, including the specific events, the men that led them, and the politics that shaped the period.
Currently I work at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site in Newburgh, NY as a historic interpreter. In that role I lead tours of the headquarters building, lecturing tourists on its history, the accomplishments of Washington while he was there, and the conclusion of the American Revolution. I also do a number of educational lectures at local schools and, most interestingly, I undertake numerous research projects on topics related to the site. My current research projects are: the Commander-in-Chief's Guard, the Franco-American Alliance, and Deborah Sampson: The Women Who Fought in the Revolution.
- American Revolution - the period that began it all for the great country of the United States. Iconic in itself, it is often seen as the Pax Americana.
- Culper Ring - the first major spy ring in American history. Although its history was largely hidden for most of American history, we're finally uncovering the truth of their expansive web and their crucial role in shaping the outcome of many Revolutionary events.
- George Washington - leader of the Continental Army and first President of the United States. America's Augustus Caesar, but somehow also the symbol of American democracy and freedom. I currently work at Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site, where I give tours and lecture on Washington's achievements at the site.
- Battle of Saratoga - the turning point that changed everything for the Continental Army. It was this victory that proved we could defeat the British, and convinced the French to support us in our fight.
- Battle of Yorktown - the final nail in the coffin, when the army led by General Cornwallis surrendered to the combined American and French forces. Ultimately led to the total withdrawal of British troops, and victory in the war.
- John Hathorn - a local militia commander from my hometown of Warwick during the Revolution. His house still stands, and serves as a beacon of American history in our little town. Fun fact - Washington himself once stayed there.
World War 2
My interest in World War 2 began in high school, in my sophomore year. Admittedly not my biggest historical interest, it is still the most influential decade of human history. The socio-political ramifications, the technological advancements, and the economic boom that followed sent shockwaves throughout the 20th century; even today, the world powers that rose to the forefront in World War 2 continue to reign supreme. I worked for a number of years a tour guide aboard a World War 2 destroyer escort. Although I know much less about World War 2 than the Viking Age or the American Revolution, it is still an interesting chapter of history that must be well known by all.
- Battle of the Bulge - a massive and consequential battle of the war in which a great-great uncle of mine died and was subsequently awarded the Purple Heart.
- USS Slater - a destroyer escort and museum ship that I used to work at. It's a small operation, but dedicated to preserving the ship, her legacy, and the stories of all sailors who served on a DE in World War 2. Go visit, and listen to the podcast DE Classified.
- Pearl Harbor - the "day that will live in infamy", when Japanese bombers attacked Hawaii and killed hundreds of sailors. This provoked the United States, and finally prompted us to enter the war on the side of the Allies.
- D-Day - the biggest amphibious invasion in human history and the turning point for the War in Europe. This day is one that all Americans and Europeans know very well - or at least should.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt - the leader of the United States during World War 2 and the only President to serve for more than 2 terms. He was also handicapped - a fact that hits quite close to home.
- USS Mitchell - unfortunately there's no direct familial link between me and Albert Mitchell, the namesake of this ship. But I discovered and researched her history during my time at Slater and even produced a podcast episode about it.
Astronomy
My love for all things space related began as a child, when I watched my first space shuttle launch with my grandfather. I don't remember specifically when it was, or which shuttle, but it must've been prior to the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, because I clearly remember the feelings of despair surrounding that. Over the years my love grew, culminating in a visit to the Kennedy Space Center. I still remember gazing upon the Saturn V rocket in absolute amazement; that awe-inspiring feat of human engineering remains, undoubtedly, the most impressive machine ever constructed. As I grew older, I read all I could on the Solar System, on the most infamous stars of the night sky, of our universe's most impressive phenomena, and on the history of astronomy.
Today, I have unfortunately resigned myself to the conclusion that I will most likely never reach space, at least not by any means that currently exists. I'm not a member of the Navy or Air Force, and most astronauts were Navy or Air Force aviators. I also won't ever get an advanced aerospace engineering degree, or almost anything else that might qualify me for a trip to space. My only hope is to become an ultra billionaire and build my own rocket to take me to the moon. I think I can do this.
Entertainment
Sports
I've been playing sports since I was a child. My first sport was soccer, although I quickly moved on. My favorite sport is basketball; my longest played sport, however, was baseball, and I enjoy playing football video games the most. I'm also well versed in golf, lacrosse, and tennis. During the COVID-19 pandemic I became a massive fan of Formula 1 racing; I have no qualms about admitting that I immediately hopped on the bandwagon when I started. My favorite team was Mercedes, and my favorite racer was Lewis Hamilton. Now, though, I've been able to move away from the single-mindedness (and inevitable heartbreak) that comes with only rooting for one driver or team. Instead, I'm able to love and appreciate the talents of every driver and every team, to see the best parts of every race, and thus enjoy the entire sport as a whole. My interest in Formula 1 extends past just the basic who-finishes-first race; I've now spent countless hours learning the intricacies of the cars themselves, the rule book, differing strategies of teams, and the history of the sport.
- Miami Heat - hopped on the bandwagon with them in 2005, during the Shaq/Wade years and have remained loyal ever since. I miss the days of domination.
- New York Yankees - as a New York Italian-American, this is the only baseball team I'm legally allowed to root for. And why would I want to root for anyone else? They're the best.
- Pittsburgh Steelers - became a fan after a childhood friend suggested it, and have stayed loyal since. Although I've never actually seen them play...
- Formula 1 - the greatest, classiest, most exciting sport I've encountered. You absolutely need to become a fan.
- Scuderia Ferrari - if you're a fan of F1, you're a fan of Ferrari. Its as simple as that.
Fantasy Franchises
I honestly don't remember when I became an absolute fantasy geek. I know it was quite young, and like many who grew up in the 2000's, it began with Harry Potter. Although it has been many years since I've read the books, it remains as my favorite franchise. I've read the book series exactly 42 times, and seen the movies countless more. I've beaten all the video games I could get my hands on, and play as many Harry Potter trivia and board games as possible. Additionally, I've read all the Game of Thrones books and seen the entire show; I can cite thousands of years of Westerosi history from memory. Star Wars, of course, holds a very nostalgic and special place in my heart, as does the Marvel Cinematic Universe; I am extremely well versed in trivia of both franchises. There are numerous more fantasy franchises, books, series and movies that I love as well, but unfortunately that list would be extremely long.
- Harry Potter - a world in which I feel at home. Returning to Hogwarts is like returning home after a long vacation away. One immediately feels peaceful, safe, and happy. If you haven't played Hogwarts Legacy, do it immediately. It is one of the most visually stunning games I've played.
- Lord of the Rings - the franchise that began it all, that essentially created the fantasy genre, and the grandfather of all modern fantasy. It is pure and rich in a fantastic fashion, and timeless as ever.
- Star Wars - the franchise that single-handedly shaped fantasy in the late 20th century. A true masterpiece of storytelling, I am extremely excited at the continuation of the franchise with more shows and movies in the 2020's.
- Game of Thrones - at the surface a medieval world mixed with dragons, but look deeper and you discover a complex web of economic and social repercussions brought on by massive political upheaval. Mixed with intricate religious tensions, you discover a world quite poignant to our own.
- Marvel Cinematic Universe - the franchise that has dominated the modern age of cinema unlike any other. It has single handedly popularized the creation of an entire cinematic universe, and has generated billions of dollars of revenue.
- Ready Player One - basically my entire dream. Set in a ravaged future, it details a virtual reality video game that essentially becomes a new world. You can do anything, go anywhere, be whoever you want to be - all in a video game. I greatly hope for this to become a reality.
- The Witcher - I fell in love with this world while playing the third game of the series The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and instantly needed to learn more. I've now read the original books (translated to English, of course) and absolutely loved the Netflix show.
- The Grishaverse - I became aware of this series at the release of the Netflix show Shadow and Bone, and was immediately enthralled by it. I finally read the books after receiving them as Christmas presents in 2022. I read the Shadow and Bone trilogy in a week, and the Six of Crows duology in about a week and a half. I simply could not get enough of these stories and I can't believe I'm so late to reading them. I will be purchasing and reading the King of Scars duology once the second book becomes available in paperback this March.
Music
Like all normal people, I have a deep love of music. My musical taste spans genres and time; I love modern rap, punk rock, 80's rock, reggae, pop and even classical. I listen mostly to English language songs, but I have a number of songs I enjoy in Italian, Korean, Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. My music taste is nothing short of eclectic, and I think it defines me perfectly. Below are only a few of my favorites.
- Lorde - my favorite artist of all time. I connect deeply with the emotion in her lyrics. I own a lithograph of the album art for her second album, Melodrama that she actually signed. It is my most prized possession. When her third album Solar Power released in 2021, I quickly snagged a physical copy of the "music box" which granted me access to her "Solar Institute". At this point, I essentially have a shrine to her.
- Vérité - an immensely talented young woman I discovered in early 2020, and later discovered a personal connection to (I went to high school with her brother.) Deeply emotional, I highly recommend exploring her discography.
- Chvrches - I fell in love with this Scottish band after hearing their song "Never Say Die" on the soundtrack of Forza Horizon 4. Their lyrics are complex and introspective, their sound almost a blend of rock and electronic. Definitely worth a listen.
- Good Boy Daisy - twin sisters Hailie and Dylinn Mayes, this alt rock band dominates themes of heartbreak, love, and self-empowerment. Criminally, they remain relatively small and unheard of, but that won't stay true for long if I have anything to say about it.
- Eminem - the OG, the Rap God himself. If you don't like his music, you're lying.
Video Games
- Runescape - this is the game that started it all for me, and the one I've played the longest. Of course I'd played games before this, like Mario Brothers, Sonic the Hedgehog and others, but it was this game that awakened a deep love for video gaming, and more importantly, for striving to accomplish all that I can in a game. This game is a beautiful MMORPG filled with fantastic lore, wonderful PVM and PVP gameplay, and intense skilling. I've maxed my account and now working towards completionist as well as increasing my PVM skills.
- Skyrim - this is the best video game ever made, and if you disagree, you're an idiot. It's story is phenomenal and engrossing, its gameplay is addicting, and its soundtrack is so breathtakingly sublime that sometimes I casually listen to it. I miss the feeling of beating this game for the first time. Bethesda, please release Elder Scrolls 6 already.
- The Witcher 3 - I absolutely fell in love with the world of the Witcher after watching the Netflix show, and I wanted to be fully immersed in it. This game accomplished that and more. Although occasionally buggy and still not as big as I would want, it is a wonderful open world with immersive lore and challenging monsters. I've come to see Geralt as a virtual hero and brother, and both Yen and Ciri are intoxicating and alluring. Don't hate.
- Assassin's Creed: Valhalla - I know this game gets a lot of hate, but I love it. Yes, the actual "assassin's creed" part is lacking compared to predecessors, and its lore of the Viking gods being ancient aliens thing is weird and confusing. But its gameplay as a simple Viking, conquering and feasting and sailing, is objectively sublime. It is addicting to the highest extent, and you come to feel as if you yourself are friends with these ancient Saxon and Nordic peoples. I love Vikings, and this has been the best Viking game I've seen yet.
- Hogwarts Legacy - Released in 2023, I played this on an old hand-me-down PC that I referred to as "the potato". Although it had some issues loading the game immediately after loading screens, it was ultimately able to load everything well enough if I gave it a second. This game was visually stunning, its combat was exceptional, and its storyline was incredibly interesting. This is an absolute triumph. It took me two weeks to fully beat, and five days later I went out and bought a better PC so I can play through this game again in a new house and fully experience this world in higher resolution.
- Baldur's Gate 3 - Like all nerds, I bought and played this game early access, and I was instantaneously blown away by it. The sheer scope of the storyline, the endless abilities of the character, the incredible ways one can interact with the world around them - it is all amazingly surreal. Not to mention how everything is voice acted. It is one of the best games of all time and most certainly deserves its Game of the Year awards.
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