Colonialism and Homosexuality is a thorough investigation of the connections of homosexuality and imperialism from the late 1800s - the era of 'new imperialism' - until the era of decolonization. Robert Aldrich reconstructs the context of a number of liaisons, including those of famous men such as Cecil Rhodes, E.M. Forster or Andre Gide, and the historical situations which produced both the Europeans and their non-Western lovers.

Colonial lands, which in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century included most of Africa, South and Southeast Asia and the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans and the Caribbean, provided a haven for many Europeans whose sexual inclinations did not fit neatly into the constraints of European society.

Each of the case-studies is a micro-history of a particular colonial situation, a sexual encounter, and its wider implications for cultural and political life. Students both of colonial history, and of gender and queer studies, will find this an informative read.

About the Author
Robert Aldrich teaches European and colonial history at the University of Sydney. He is the author of The Seduction of the Mediterranean (1993) and coeditor of Who's Who in Gay and Lesbian History and Who's Who in ContemporaryGay and Lesbian History (both published in 2001).

Reviews

'Aldrich writes in an accessible and engaging style and provides a wide-ranging and interesting study ... this rich study is a worthwhile contribution to the growing literature on sexuality, gender and imperialism.' - History

Book Information
ISBN 9780415196161
Author Robert Aldrich
Format Paperback
Page Count 464
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 771g