Writer and bibliographer. He was principally a writer, focusing mainly on sexuality as his main subject and book collector, owning the largest collection of books on Cervantes outside of Spain. Born in Southwark, London, he pursued an early career as a city merchant with Charles Lavy and Company before travelling extensively in Europe, Japan and North America. He was part of an intellectual circle of friends which included, Sir Richard Burton and algernon Swinburne who discussed sexual matters with a freedom that was at odds with Victorian society. His most famous work was perhaps "Notes on Uncommon Books" (1877-1885). He left his entire book collection to the British Musuem, with the condition that the erotic works had to be accepted along with the conventional items, which was acknowledged.
Writer and bibliographer. He was principally a writer, focusing mainly on sexuality as his main subject and book collector, owning the largest collection of books on Cervantes outside of Spain. Born in Southwark, London, he pursued an early career as a city merchant with Charles Lavy and Company before travelling extensively in Europe, Japan and North America. He was part of an intellectual circle of friends which included, Sir Richard Burton and algernon Swinburne who discussed sexual matters with a freedom that was at odds with Victorian society. His most famous work was perhaps "Notes on Uncommon Books" (1877-1885). He left his entire book collection to the British Musuem, with the condition that the erotic works had to be accepted along with the conventional items, which was acknowledged.
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