Anonymity

Discussing blogging at dinner tonight there was a question of anonymity. Some write, as I do, under their own names. Other bloggers are anonymous - or pseudonymous. There was quite a tradition of Pseudonymous writing in the Haileyburian. Letters from 'our corespondent' at one or other of the Universities were signed "Cantab" or "Oxon" or "Londin" and there were the famous letters from 'Praeteritus'. Praeteritus was LS Milford (L 1867 and staff 1879 - 1919), Haileybury's first historian.  These letters were written from memories of old boys sent to Milford, which he recast for publication. It seems to have been an open secret that he was the author, so maybe that pseudonym does not count.

Anonymity was frowned upon in the letters column, though some early editions allowed a few unsigned letters; anonymous editorials were common until fairly recently. Today this is all less the case. I cannot find a single piece (or picture) in the current issue without a by-line or accreditation.

So - is it good to say who we are? or does the hidden or alternative persona help?