Product Description

London and the Culture of Homosexuality explores the relationship between London and male homosexuality from the criminalization of all ‘acts of gross indecency’ between men in 1885 to the outbreak of the First World War in 1914 - years marked by an intensification in concern about male-male relationships and also by the emergence of an embryonic homosexual rights movement. Taking his cue from literary and lesbian and gay scholars, urban historians and cultural geographers, Matt Cook combines discussion of London’s homosexual subculture and various major and minor scandals with a detailed examination of representations in the press, in science and in literature. The conjunction of approaches used in this study provides fresh insights into the development of ideas about the modern homosexual and into the many different ways of comprehending and taking part in London’s culture of homosexuality.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #458307 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-06
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 244 pages

Review
Review of the hardback: 'The book draws on literary scholarship as well as lesbian, gay or queer theory. It deploys urban geography as easily as the new social history. Cook does not have to prove the value of the topic. He can deploy it to bring to life a moment of history on the cusp of radical change.' Times Higher Education Supplement

From the hardback review: '… despite taking a very broad interdisciplinary approach to its subject, finds its main strength in providing and examining just this wealth of neglected details, often bringing them to bear on quite well-known events in an extremely illuminating way. … an essential sourcebook for any student of the homosexual culture of this period, whether studying the arts, the sciences, or politics.' MLR

About the Author
Matt Cook is Lecturer in Modern British History at Keele University.