Havelock Ellis

British physician, writer, and social reformer (1859-1939)

Henry Havelock Ellis, known as Havelock Ellis (2 February 1859 – 8 July 1939), was a British physician, writer, and social reformer who studied human sexuality. He published works on a variety of sexual practices and inclinations, including transgender psychology. He is credited with introducing the notions of narcissism and autoeroticism, later adopted by psychoanalysis. He served as president of the Galton Institute and, like many intellectuals of his era, supported eugenics.[1]

Havelock Ellis
Ellis in 1923
Born(1859-02-02)2 February 1859
Died8 July 1939(1939-07-08) (aged 80)
NationalityBritish

Attitudes towards homosexuality and masturbation were altered by the publications of Havelock Ellis.[2][3][4] Ellis was the first person to say in print that masturbation was normal, and did not cause any medical problems. He was co-author of the first medical textbook in English on homosexuality in 1897. His work, with others, prepared the way for the later sexual revolution.

References

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  1. Grosskurth, Phyllis (1980), Havelock Ellis : a biography, A. Lane, ISBN 978-0-7139-1071-1, p. 412
  2. Ellis, Havelock 1890. The new spirit. London: Bell.
  3. Ellis, Havelock 1897–1928. Studies in the psychology of sex. 7 vols, London. The French edition had 19 volumes.
  4. Ellis, Havelock and J.A. Symonds 1897. Sexual Inversion. London.