Sodomites, Pederasts, and Tribades in Eighteenth-Century France: A Documentary History

In eighteenth-century France, Jeffrey Merrick's book explores how Parisians viewed sodomy and pederasty and tribadism through a collection of primary-source documents, revealing that male and female same-sex relations played a more visible public role than previously believed. The sources include archival police records, treatises, encyclopedias, fictional portrayals, and Enlightenment treatments, showcasing how contemporaries understood same-sex relations in various contexts and cultures.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 10 May 2021
Publisher: Pennsylvania State University Press

In his groundbreaking book, Jeffrey Merrick presents a comprehensive collection of primary-source documents that vividly depict the policing of same-sex populations in eighteenth-century France and the prevailing attitudes towards sodomy, pederasty, and tribadism among the Parisians of that era. These documents, many of which are published or translated for the first time, shed light on the previously underestimated role of male and female same-sex relations in Enlightenment-era society.

The translated and annotated sources included in this volume provide a rich insight into the vibrant same-sex subculture that thrived in eighteenth-century Paris. The archival police records from the 1720s to the 1780s, meticulously compiled and translated, reveal the extent to which the police attempted to control and repress sodomitical activity through surveillance and repression. These records highlight the societal concerns and moral judgments surrounding same-sex relations at the time.

In addition to the police records, part 2 of the book includes excerpts from treatises, encyclopedias, novelles, and libelles. These sources offer a diverse range of perspectives, from fictional portrayals to Enlightenment treatments of the topic. They include calls for legal reform and provide a deeper understanding of how contemporaries perceived and interpreted same-sex relations in various contexts and cultures, including their own.

The resulting volume, Sodomites, Pederasts, and Tribades in Eighteenth-Century France, offers an unparalleled perspective on the role of same-sex relations in the culture and society of the era. The product of years of meticulous archival research curated, translated, and annotated by a leading expert in the field, Merrick's book provides a foundational primary text for the study and teaching of the history of sexuality. It sheds new light on the complexities and diversity of human sexual behavior and challenges prevailing societal norms and prejudices.

In conclusion, Jeffrey Merrick's Sodomites, Pederasts, and Tribades in Eighteenth-Century France is a seminal work that revolutionizes our understanding of the history of sexuality. Through the presentation of a wealth of primary-source documents and the expert analysis provided by Merrick, this book offers a comprehensive and nuanced exploration of the policing of same-sex populations, the prevailing attitudes towards sodomy, pederasty, and tribadism, and the role of same-sex relations in Enlightenment-era society. It is a valuable resource for scholars, students, and anyone interested in understanding the complex and multifaceted nature of human sexuality and its historical context.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 150 x 228 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780271083360