Queering the Early American Novel: Charles Brockden Brown's Memoirs of Stephen Calvert

We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Christopher Looby as our speaker for this year’s Charlotte Cushman Society lecture. Dr. Looby’s talk will be focused on The Memoirs of Stephen Calvert. This lesser-known novel, written by prominent Philadelphian novelist and Library Company shareholder Charles Brockden Brown, is the oldest surviving American novel to thematically focus on same-gender sexuality. Dr. Looby will trace both the literary history and queer history surrounding this novel and its themes, dating back to a time period in which people often believe that queer history, literary or otherwise, cannot be found.

Created in 2018, the Charlotte Cushman Society is a group of donors dedicated to recovering and sharing LGBT history and will support on-going initiatives and exploration.