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Edward Carpenter (1844-1929) was a proponent of a "larger" Socialism, one that embraced the liberation of the emotional and spiritual life along with the economic. A small-holding farmer and cultural and political activist, he advocated the Simplification of Life and put his beliefs into practice. A man of letters, he published over 20 books, including his collection of poems Towards Democracy, and numerous additional articles. He campaigned through out his life on many issues of social concern, ranging from women's suffrage to the protection of the environment, from sexual emancipation to the formation of trade unions. A unifying spiritual vision underlay all of his life and work. As a homosexual man, he lived openly and in quiet celebration while his writings and example laid the foundation for the homosexual freedom movement of the twentieth century. More on Edward Carpenter...

Through his many friendships, Edward Carpenter transversed again and again the divisions of class, gender, sexuality, race and creed. Men and women from across the world and from all walks of life came into connection with each other through him and his home at Millthorpe in Derbyshire, England. Appreciative of this, the Edward Carpenter Forum welcomes a diversity of men and women from around the world and from a wide range of interest groups; social, political or academic.

Welcome to the Edward Carpenter Forum Website

This issue of the Forum website commemorates the eightieth anniversary of Edward Carpenter's death on June 28, 1929. We've brought together a collection of offerings that include EC's reflections on death in our Web Premier and Member's Choice, his friend's memories of him in Featured Essay and In Appreciation, a memento of his last years in Carpenter Letters, and a celebration of the legacy of his published works in our Photo Essay.

Two very important participants in the history of Carpenter studies join us with this issue.

Jonathan Cutbill is the current Carpenter Literary Executor and a Gay antiquarian, bibliographer, publisher, and collector. He has put together items from his collection for our Photo Essay this month. The EC Forum once again extends our warm thanks to him and gratitude for his ongoing permission to print unpublished Carpenter material.

Professor Chushichi Tsuzuki, who published the first full scale biography of EC entitled Edward Carpenter 1844-1929: Prophet of Human Fellowship, has graciously allowed us to reprint his essay on Carpenter's last years for our Featured Essay. His biography, first published in 1980, was reprinted by Cambridge University Press last year.

Sheila at San Francisco's City Lights Bookshop with EC in the Window.

Speaking of biographies, Sheila Rowbotham's Edward Carpenter: A Life of Liberty and Love recently won the USA's Lambda Literary Foundation Award for best biography. Congratulations Sheila! We plan on having more coverage on Sheila's book in our next issue.

Several other books released in the last year of interest to Carpenter enthusiasts have come to our attention. We have listed these in a Books of Note section in the left hand side bar.

The Forum will be sponsoring a day long exploration of "Carpenter's Cambridge" on September 19, 2009 in Cambridge, England. See the Events listing for more details.

ec-&-gm-crop.jpg We wish to extend a happy Gay Day to everyone. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the watershed event of the modern Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender movement, the Stonewall Riots in New York City on June 28, 1969. Occurring exactly 40 years to the day after Carpenter's death, it would perhaps not be overstating it to say that Carpenter's greatest legacy lay in the movement that his writings, organizing activities and vision helped to bring into existence.

The website will be going through some upgrading in the next few months. If you experience trouble signing up as a member please email us directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . The same holds true for contacting us in general.

We extend our thanks to the Sheffield Archives for their ongoing encouragement and permission to print photos from their collection. This issue was co-edited by John Baker and Joey Cain (though John really did the lion's share of editorial leg work-JC). Send us your comments, questions and submissions for publication consideration to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Photo Essay

Minor Carpenter

By Jonathan Cutbill

The long time Carpenter expert, collector and copyright holder shares some of the jewels from his wonderful collection of Carpenter books and photos.

In Appreciation

Excerpts from

Edward Carpenter: In Appreciation

Edited by Gilbert Beith

A sampling of the tributes written by Carpenter's many friends and admirers after his death for Beith's memorial volume.

Carpenter Letters

The Last Letter

Dated August 11, 1927, two years before his death, this is the last known letter written by Carpenter.

Featured Essay

"The Last Years of

Edward Carpenter"

By Professor Chushichi Tsuzuki

The author of the ground breaking biography, Edward Carpenter, 1844-1929: Prophet of Human Fellowship, shares his postscript to that work, a picture of Carpenter's last years based on the letters and perspective of ambivilant friend Henry Salt.

Member's Choice

Out of the House of Childhood

Selected by Paul Marshall

To take by leaving, to hold by letting go.

...

When at last Death comes, then all of Life shall be to us as the house of our childhood-

For the first time we shall really possess it.

But who is ready to die to life now, he even now possesses it

Web Premier

Farewell Message left by Edward Carpenter to be Read over his Grave

Written in 1910, it expresses EC's understanding of and feelings about death and it's relationship to life.

The Mission of Edward Carpenter Forum

The Edward Carpenter Forum is dedicated to the exploration of the life, ideas, and work of the pioneering thinker, activist and visionary Edward Carpenter and his circle.

We seek to: create connections and facilitate discussion among Edward Carpenter enthusiasts; increase public awareness and knowledge about Carpenter including his continuing relevance for today; provide resources and programs for the general public, enthusists and the dedicated student; encourage the production of original works on Carpenter and his circle.

Projects of the Edward Carpenter Forum, which is an all volunteer, not for profit organization, include a website, newsletter and programs such as lectures, workshops, gatherings and other public events.