London and the Culture of Homosexuality, 1885-1914

by Matt Cook

Matt Cook explores the relationship between London and homosexuality from 1885 to 1914, years marked by intensification in concern about male-male relationships and also by the emergence of an embryonic homosexual rights movement. Cook combines his coverage of London's homosexual subculture and various major and minor scandals with a detailed examination of representations in the press, science and literature. This conjunction of approaches distinguishes this study from other works and provides new insight into the development of ideas about homosexuality during the period.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, LGBT, Research, Academic, Queer, Edwardian

237 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Matt Cook is Professor of Modern History at Birkbeck College, University of London, UK. He is the author of Queer Domesticities: Homosexuality and Home Life in 20th-Century London (2014) and London and the Culture of Homosexuality, 1885-1914 (2003).

Reviews

[K.J. Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview of London's queer history (concentrating on male homosexuality). Closely geographically located with lots of good side stories and insights into popular attitudes. It's a lot more interesting and nuanced than the narrative of blanket oppression. Very readable for an academic book, too.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little on the short side (about 150 pages?) and but very clear and focused. Well, I quess that's what you get when a book is clear and focused, so shorttishness is not a bad thing. I was particularly interested in chapters about late Victorian books, like Teleny, Dorian Gray, Sins of the Cities... Very useful bibliography.

***

OMG now I have found a blog post that wrote everything that I thought while I was reading this book but was too lazy to include in a review: Queering Holmes

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting read.

[Vitani Days · Rating 3 out of 5]

Titolo molto interessante che prende in esame un lasso di tempo piuttosto breve, gli anni che vanno dal 1885 al 1914, una città ben precisa - Londra - e un argomento specifico: l'omosessualità maschile. Ciò che ne esce è un saggio ben o ben argomentato, pur se a tratti un po' lento e ridondante, che racconta in che modo si sia modificata la percezione dell'omosessualità maschile nel corso del XIX secolo. Il libro affronta in modo particolare il ruolo della città di Londra in relazione all'omosessualità maschile, trattando in ogni capitolo un differente punto di vista. Si scopre così in che modo l'intrico di strade londinesi abbia di volta in volta favorito o represso l'omosessualità, il ruolo dell'opinione pubblica durante i processi a Wilde, il ruolo di Wilde stesso nella rappresentazione e percezione dell'omosessualità; e poi ancora la medicina, l'ellenismo, il decadentismo, la legislazione. Notevoli in particolare i passi dedicati a Dorian Gray e Teleny e, in generale, il capitolo riguardante l'estetismo.
Non ringrazierò mai Matt Cook abbastanza per avermi conoscere Fanny e Stella, infine.
Lettura consigliata a chi voglia indagare il legame stretto tra Londra e l'omosessualità, ma in generale per addetti ai lavori perché, come ho detto, piuttosto specifica e con la tendenza a perdersi nei dettagli, risultanto a tratti lenta e ripetitiva nella parte centrale. Comunque un buon saggio, molto sfruttato durante la stesura della mia tesi di laurea.

[Valorie Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matt Cook's mapping of the homosexual subculture in London at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century is a must-read for anyone interested in LGBT history in Europe, or wants to understand the many facets of Victorian culture better. He not only brings to life years of statistical data and crime trends, but shows how the development of a homosexual subculture was reflected in the literature of the time, especially in Oscar Wilde's oeuvre but also Bram Stroker's Dracula and other more obscure literary work. I've read it twice since last fall for my Master's work and am still impressed by Cook's ability to weave historical fact and analysis with talented storytelling.

[Siri Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-researched and highly informative book on a very interesting subject. The main argument, which is that homosexual culture and lifestyles were intricately tied to the metropolis and the idea of the modern era that was approaching, is, I believe, well argued for and proves a fascinating analysis of late Victorian attitudes and ideas of male homosexuality - and of how late Victorian homosexuals thought about themselves. I enjoyed this book immensely and I would recommend it to everyone interested in LGBT+ history, the history of London or the late Victorian period.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, straightforward read about London’s gay culture primarily in the Victorian era. Subtlety but certainly takes down common misunderstandings and stereotypes and is well aware of historicizing the gay experience rather than anachronistically applying the modern one. Some of the conclusiony bits were repetitive but that’s fine, liked it overall.

[Sabina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very educational and insightful. Very well researched and well-written.

[JamesK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I believe this book was originally a thesis. In any case, it's an essential primer for getting to grips with Victorian gay London. And how could you resist that cover?!

[Micha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Essential reading for my thesis, Cook maps out urban homosexual culture geographically and temporally. Like in Robb Graham's Strangers: Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century there is a solid discussion of court records of persecutions and trials in the late 19th century, which isn't reflective of daily life of homosexual men at the time but which is certainly useful to my research. I consulted this book ages ago when my current project was in utero (a second-year history paper has taken me here, what the hell), but I hadn't read it cover to cover until now, and it was very much rewarding to do so. The book could have been longer, really! I don't get exhausted of the topic.

This book is special to me, further, because it feels like the first very academic text that is really mine. Of course I've purchased many textbooks throughout my undergrad, but they are often surveys of a broad topic, or they are for a course that was not my calling. A lot of what I read are novels, which while I used them for academic purposes aren't strictly academic texts and are usually things I'd read on my own. Further, most of the time I take books out of the library because I am poor and can get all I need from there. This book is one that is specific to my research, which I will use throughout the writing of my thesis, and which I will now keep on my shelf. My supervisor gave it to me at the end of April and I now hold it near and dear.

[saizine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very solid look at a fascinating topic - I particularly enjoyed the early chapters (more so than the later), and found Cook's discussion of geography and urbanity in relation to subcultures (if one may indeed speak of subcultures at the turn of the century) of great value. Also of immense interest is the work's discussion of literature, namely The Sins of the Cities of the Plain, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and Teleny. What's particularly interesting about this volume is that although it does reflect on prosecution data and publications stemming from the courts, the argument is not hinged upon them and instead locates urban (male) homosexual culture throughout the city instead of only in its legal system. A very, very good place to start for anyone interested in the subject.

[C. B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that examines the culture around male homosexuality in London during the stated period. An interesting foray for me; I'm not very familiar with the field of Literature studies that this book has its background in.

The meanings that people attach to certain geographies and spaces is a central theme; completely fascinating. Recommended for those interested in the bizarre complexities that subcultures can develop.

[Julie Bozza]

Thank you, Bryn. ♥

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely a very informative book about how homosexuality was viewed during this time period.