The Fraternity of the Estranged
The Fight for Homosexual Rights in England, 1891-1908
by Brian Anderson
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Pub Date 28 Mar 2018 | Archive Date 27 Aug 2018
Troubador Publishing Limited | Matador
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Description
Originally passed in 1885, the law that had made homosexual relations a crime remained in place for 82 years. But during this time, restrictions on same-sex relationships did not go unchallenged. Between 1891 and 1908, three books on the nature of homosexuality appeared. They were written by two homosexual men: Edward Carpenter and John Addington Symonds, and a third, Havelock Ellis.
At this time, the study of homosexuality was limited almost exclusively to the European continent. Books that were circulated freely in Europe were hardly known in England, and men who loved men were pushed to the margins of a society where masculinity was strenuously upheld.
Carpenter and Symonds’ story and their brave stand against persecution is largely forgotten, but in such a hostile environment, their publications were highly significant. They were the first English contributions to the scientific understanding of homosexuality, and, more importantly, opened the long struggle for the legal recognition of same-sex love that was finally achieved in 1967.
The Fraternity of the Estranged will speak principally to the LGBT community and, in a time more accepting of sexual diversity, to a wider readership. It will also appeal to readers interested in history as it recounts what it was like to be homosexual in late-Victorian England.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781788034876 |
| PRICE | US$7.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 200 |
Featured Reviews
Eric B, Reviewer
This book is subtitled “The Fight for Homosexual Rights in England 1891-1908”. Effectively it is a discussion, with some analysis, of the written works, and collaboration of three men, John Addington Symonds, Edward Carpenter and Havelock Ellis. Just over 70% of the book, divided into 12 sections, is devoted to the discussion, the remainder consists of a Bibliography and Notes (645 of them).
in the wake of the Labouchère Clause in the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, the Cleveland Street Scandal and the prosecution of Oscar Wilde, life was particularly difficult for male homosexuals in Britain in the period covered by this book and British publishers were very reluctant to handle books which dealt with the subject in any way.
The “Fight” here was to gain recognition of the unfairness of the law by publishing books and articles which sought to explain homosexuality and to ask for the right of private expression of it to be legalised. There was no movement parallel to that for gay rights which found public and vocal expression from the late 1960’s onward.
The author holds a doctorate in intellectual history and the text is somewhat academic. This is not light reading, but the combination of biography, history and analysis of text should appeal to a wide audience within and outwith the LGBTQ community
The author is to be congratulated for shedding light on a period in homosexual history which tends to be dominated by Oscar & Co. at the expense of others, such as Edward Carpenter, knowledge of whose life and works is especially deserving of a wider audience.
3.5 stars Thank you to NetGalley and publisher, Troubadour, for the digital ARC.
Autumn T, Reviewer
This is an excellent book that I highly recommend for all. I give this book five stars. An excellent look into the history of how homosexuality was viewed in Victorian England.
Jeff L, Reviewer
I enjoyed this extremely detailed, well research history of the struggle of homosexual life in the late 1800s- early 1900s. Symonds, Ellis and Carpenter bravely used their writing abilities and risked their reputations to fight the beliefs/laws of the time. The research was so extensive, about 25% of the book contains the sources for this exploration. This book is very academic in its telling. Highly recommend to anyone with a deep interest in gay history.
I received an ARC copy From the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
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