Thesislog

The more it seems obvious, and imperative, even, that I write a thesis arguing that Symonds prefigured our modern idea of the homosexual and homosexual identity. Combining medical science and cultural history, highly influenced by a literature embracing S.O.C. not G.I., wavering between a radical identity politics and a thing which just is, and more importantly influencing SO MANY PEOPLE working to construct ideas of themselves as homosexuals, from Whitman and Wilde to the ordinary folks. Symonds found his way into so many people’s libraries and is THE figure in the intellectual history of homosexuality and why not write something arguing for his canonization? I would be shocked, shocked if the Grosskurth biography made this case so explicit in 1964, and if I can write to folks like Katz and talk to folks like Canaday and see whether some scholar doesn’t have a book in production arguing just this, well: my thesis just keeps getting narrower and narrower, now I’m down to just one person, and now I’d have the seed of a biography on which to apply for research funding with which to expand it, or to hold onto when it comes time to do a second book years hence.

Of course, this would make me Not An Americanist, but there’s no question that this project would involve enough America to satisfy AMS, and I shouldn’t have any troubles pushing the transatlantic int/cult angle. It does raise questions about whether Rodgers would still be the best advisor—would I be better off with Colley? Cannadine (can he even advise?)? Rabinbach? Grafton? Or even Canaday after all? I think Rodgers is the first person to talk to, however, a natural entry point in offering direction and indeed a first hurdle of approval.