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Edward Carpenter

(1844-1929), Writer on social subjects

Sitter in 8 portraits
Writer and advocate of libertarian beliefs; after a brief career at Cambridge, worked as a University Extension lecturer in northern England; settled at Millthorpe, Derbyshire, 1883, where he combined his literary work with a simple life of gardening and sandal-making. Influenced by Walt Whitman and Socialism, his works include Towards Democracy, 1883-1902, England's Ideal, 1885, and Civilisation, its Cause and Cure, 1889. From 1893, he lived openly with his working class lover, George Merrill. This rejection of conventional notions of social and sexual behaviour had a profound impact on such younger followers as E.M. Forster. His book Homogenic Love (1895) advocated the acceptance of relationships between men.

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Edward Carpenter

by Roger Fry
oil on canvas, 1894
NPG 2447

Edward Carpenter

by Alvin Langdon Coburn
gum platinum print, 1905
NPG P48

Edward Carpenter

by Henry Bishop
oil on canvas, 1907
NPG 3832

Edward Carpenter

by Unknown photographer
photogravure, 1887
NPG Ax45351

Edward Carpenter

by Elliott & Fry
photogravure, 1900s
NPG x12530

Edward Carpenter

by Fred ('F') Holland Day
black and white photogravure, 1900
NPG Ax45350

Edward Carpenter

by Alfred Mattison, copied by Emery Walker Ltd
copy glass plate negative, 1905
NPG x87106

Edward Carpenter

by Alvin Langdon Coburn
photogravure, 28 November 1905
NPG Ax7774

Groups

Place

Derbyshire

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Edward Carpenter

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