Unmaking Sex: The Gender Outlaws of Nineteenth-Century France

In nineteenth-century France, medical experts fought over what separated a man from a woman, and novelists explored debates about binary sex. Anne Linton's book is the first to examine intersex in medicine and literature, relating historical hermaphrodism to contemporary intersex activism and scholarship.

Format: Hardback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 24 March 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

During the nineteenth century, the terms "intersex" and "trans" were yet to be coined to describe individuals whose bodies or sense of self conflicted with the binary notion of sex. However, it is important to recognize that such individuals did indeed exist. In nineteenth-century France, a wealth of case studies filled medical journals, high-profile trials garnered widespread attention, and doctors staked their reputations on sex determinations, only to have them later reversed by their colleagues. While medical experts engaged in heated debates over what distinguished a man from a woman, novelists began to explore the complexities of binary sex and depict the experiences of gender-ambiguous characters.

Anne Linton, in her groundbreaking work, delves into over 200 newly uncovered case studies, offering fresh interpretations of literature by several renowned writers of the period, as well as long-overlooked popular fiction. This seminal contribution to the history of sexuality stands as the first book to examine intersex in both medicine and literature, sensitively linking historical hermaphrodism to contemporary intersex activism and scholarship.

In the medical realm, nineteenth-century France witnessed a flurry of activity as doctors sought to classify and understand individuals whose physical characteristics did not conform to traditional gender norms. Case studies, meticulously documented in medical journals, provided valuable insights into the lives of these individuals, often challenging prevailing notions of sex and gender. However, the field was not without its controversies, as medical experts engaged in heated debates over the definition of "normal" sex and the appropriate methods for sex determination.

One of the most notable figures in the medical field during this period was John Hunter, a Scottish surgeon who is credited with coining the term "hermaphrodite." Hunter's work on the anatomy of sexual organs and his observations of individuals with ambiguous genitalia led him to propose a theory of "intersexuality," which he defined as a condition in which individuals possess both male and female sexual organs. While Hunter's theories were met with some skepticism by his contemporaries, his contributions laid the foundation for future research and understanding of intersexuality.

Another significant figure in nineteenth-century medicine was Karl Heinrich Ritthausen, a German physician who conducted pioneering research on the development of the male and female reproductive systems. Ritthausen's work on the anatomy of the gonads and his observations of individuals with atypical sexual development helped to shed light on the complexities of sex determination and the potential for intersexuality.

Despite these advancements, the medical community was not always receptive to the concept of intersexuality. Many doctors believed that intersex individuals were anomalies or abnormalities that needed to be corrected or treated. In some cases, intersex individuals were subjected to unnecessary medical procedures, such as surgery or hormone therapy, to align their bodies with binary sex norms. These practices were often based on a lack of understanding and empathy for individuals with diverse sexual identities.

However, there were also individuals and organizations that advocated for the rights and dignity of intersex individuals. One of the most prominent figures in this movement was Magnus Hirschfeld, a German physician and sexologist who founded the Institute for Sexual Research in Berlin in 1919. Hirschfeld's work on the history and sociology of homosexuality and his advocacy for the rights of intersex individuals helped to raise awareness and challenge the medical establishment's views on sex and gender.

In addition to medical research and advocacy, nineteenth-century France saw the emergence of literature that explored the complexities of sex and gender. Novelists such as Gustave Flaubert, Honoré de Balzac, and Virginia Woolf began to write about gender-ambiguous characters and the challenges they faced in a society that was deeply rooted in binary sex norms. Flaubert's novel Madame Bovary, for example, features a character named Emma Bovary who struggles with her sense of identity and desires, ultimately leading her to engage in a series of sexual relationships that challenge traditional gender roles.

Woolf's novel Orlando, on the other hand, tells the story of a man who transitions from male to female and experiences a range of emotions and challenges as a result. Orlando explores themes of gender identity, sexuality, and the nature of love and relationships, and has been hailed as a pioneering work in the field of gender studies.

In conclusion, the nineteenth century was a period of significant growth and development in the understanding of intersexuality and gender identity. While the terms "intersex" and "trans" were not yet invented, individuals whose bodies or sense of self conflicted with binary sex did exist. In nineteenth-century France, case studies filled medical journals, high-profile trials captured headlines, and doctors staked their reputations on sex determinations only to have them later reversed by colleagues. While medical experts fought over what separated a man from a woman, novelists began to explore debates about binary sex and describe the experiences of gender-ambiguous characters. Anne Linton's groundbreaking work, which delves into over 200 newly uncovered case studies and offers fresh readings of literature by several famous writers of the period, is a landmark contribution to the history of sexuality. By examining intersex in both medicine and literature, Linton sensitively relates historical hermaphrodism to contemporary intersex activism and scholarship, providing a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of this complex and often marginalized community.

Weight: 552g
Dimension: 160 x 234 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316511824
Edition number: New ed