I read Philip Taylor's brief bio of Edward Carpenter, particularly about his relationship with George Merrill, who is described as coming from a different class as Carpenter's. I have read Forster's novel Maurice, in which Maurice Hall and Alec Scudder fall in love. Did Forster and Carpenter know each other? Any possibility that Forster's novel was influenced by Carpenter's love relationship with Merrill?
Cheers, Jay

Yes, Forster was one of Carpenter's "disciples" for a time. "Maurice" was inspired by a visit to Carpenter and Merrill, where Merrill apparently touched Forster's bottom.
The end note to &quot;Maurice&quot; gives the full story. Forster also wrote an essay on Carpenter in &quot;Two Cheers for Democracy&quot;.<br><br>Post edited by: Alan Page, at: 2008/06/19 09:20

Oh, thanks for this information. I had a hunch there might be a connection, I'll have to check my edition of Maurice. Cheers.