From the ODNB entry on J.A. Symonds:
A Problem in Greek Ethics (written 1873, ten copies printed 1883), the first history of homosexuality in English, carefully argues that if homosexual relations were honourable in ancient Greece, they cannot be diagnosed as morbid in modern times…. A Problem in Modern Ethics (1891, 50 copies) is the first ‘scientific’ psychological–sociological analysis of homosexuality in English, exposing vulgar errors by a well-judged mixture of sarcasm, science, and common sense.
I obviously have the best thesis topic ever. Also, so much Symondsiana is in Oxford! More real thinking about research/scholarship too, but for now just enthusiasm will have to do.
Happy New Year!
Emily Rutherford 