Bestiality in a Time of Smallpox

By Rob Boddice Early Modern, Medicine and the Body

At the turn of the 19th century, opponents of Edward Jenner’s method for preventing smallpox likened vaccination to bestiality.

Carnivalesque #107

By Katherine Harvey Early Modern, Medieval

A round-up of recent blog-posts on pre-modern history.

Queering de Sade

By Gert Hekma LGBTQ

The “divine marquis” influenced literature, philosophy, and artistic and social movements such as Surrealism, Situationism, and Provo.

‘A Temporary Member’: ‘Hermaphrodites’ and Sexual Identity in Early Modern Russia

By Marianna Muravyeva Early Modern, LGBTQ, Medicine and the Body

‘Hermaphrodites’ represented a true puzzle for the authorities and local community.

The Censorship of Female Pleasure: Cleland, Charlie Countryman, Cunnilingus

By Katelyn Dykerman Early Modern

What does censorship of John Cleland’s novel tell us about attitudes to female pleasure?