Letters between an out* lesbian* couple in the early 1800s were unearthed by UVic history professor Rachel Hope Cleves, and she's writing a book about them. 

ducksinthehat:

fuckyeahlesbianliterature:

diamondannie:

fuckyeahlesbianliterature:

 (If the photo and text are overlapping, click the “Print this article” link for readable version.) (via the Lesbrary)

* though those words don’t really make sense in their context, of course

I would love to read the book that comes out of this prof’s research. but in regards to the article: what is with the title? Unlocking a Sexual Secret …?  I mean really.

I thought the same thing. I mean, were the letters super dirty? I doubt it.

It could be just a way to catch the attention of the public, but we can’t rule out the possibility of those letters being actually dirty. Remember Anne Lister, who changed the perception scholars had of lesbian sexuality in her time. The Victorians were a surprisingly sexual society as a whole, they just thought it was unmannerly to recognize it…

True, good point! Either way, the sexual nature of the letters isn’t discussed in the article, so it’s not the best choice of titles, but I shouldn’t dismiss their sexuality so quickly.