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Edward Carpenter

(1844-1929), Writer on social subjects

Sitter in 9 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 - NPG 2447

Edward Carpenter

by Roger Fry
oil on canvas, 1894
On display in Room 28 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2447

Edward Carpenter, by Alvin Langdon Coburn - NPG P48

Edward Carpenter

by Alvin Langdon Coburn
gum platinum print, 1905
NPG P48

Edward Carpenter, by Henry Bishop - NPG 3832

Edward Carpenter

by Henry Bishop
oil on canvas, 1907
NPG 3832

Edward Carpenter, by Unknown photographer - NPG Ax45351

Edward Carpenter

by Unknown photographer
photogravure, 1887
NPG Ax45351

Edward Carpenter, by Elliott & Fry - NPG x12530

Edward Carpenter

by Elliott & Fry
photogravure, 1900s
NPG x12530

Edward Carpenter, by Fred ('F') Holland Day - NPG Ax45350

Edward Carpenter

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

Edward Carpenter, by Alfred Mattison, copied by Emery Walker Ltd - NPG x87106

Edward Carpenter

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

Edward Carpenter, by Alfred Mattison, copied by Emery Walker Ltd - NPG x87106MP

Edward Carpenter

by Alfred Mattison, copied by Emery Walker Ltd
modern print from a copy glass plate negative, 1905; printed 2018
NPG x87106MP

Edward Carpenter, by Alvin Langdon Coburn - NPG Ax7774

Edward Carpenter

by Alvin Langdon Coburn
photogravure, 28 November 1905
NPG Ax7774

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