#morrieandlicky

Carpenter (1844–1929) was an influential English socialist, poet, philosopher, and early activist for LGBTQ+ rights. Born on August 29 in Brighton, England, he grew up in a conservative middle-class family and became an advocate for the rights of workers, women's emancipation, and environmental issues. Carpenter was also one of the first public figures to speak openly about his homosexuality, which was groundbreaking in Victorian England.

Edward Carpenter met his future life partner George Merrill in 1891 in Sheffield, England. Merrill (age 24), a working-class man originally from the slums of Sheffield, caught Carpenter's (age 47) attention and the two formed a lasting bond despite the significant differences in their social backgrounds: Carpenter was a well-educated middle-class intellectual, while Merrill had little formal education and came from a working-class background. 

Carpenter and Merrill lived together transparently as a (sexually open) couple at Carpenter's home in Millthorpe, Derbyshire, defying the strict social norms of the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Their relationship, which lasted nearly 40 years until Merrill's death in 1928, was pioneering in its openness, especially at a time when homosexuality was illegal and stigmatised.

Carpenter's progressive views on socialism, sexual freedom, and the critique of societal norms deeply resonated with EM Forster. In 1913, Forster (aged 34) visited Carpenter (aged 69) at his home in Millthorpe and saw Carpenter living openly with Merrill. This visit had a profound impact on Forster, influencing the plot of Forster’s novel, Maurice. Forster's depiction of the relationship between the characters Maurice Hall and Alec Scudder reflects Carpenter's ideas about the legitimacy of same-sex love and the possibility of living authentically despite societal constraints. Carpenter's philosophy of personal and societal liberation, along with his courageous life choices, provided Forster with a model of integrity and courage, which permeated his writing and personal life. The connection between the two men underscores the broader cultural shift towards greater acceptance and understanding of LGBTQ+ identities in the early 20th century.

I admit to having a huge man crush on Edward Carpenter. Him being a tall dark handsome stranger doesn’t hurt either. 

Here are the pictures that I’ve collected of “Chips”.