Book

Mesch, Rachel, author.

Before trans : three gender stories from nineteenth-century France / Rachel Mesch.

Stanford, California : Stanford University Press, 2020

351 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm

"This biographical study of three late nineteenth-century French writers looks at how transgender identities were expressed and understood before the modern category of transgender existed. At once construed as oddities and celebrated for their accomplishments, archaeologist and explorer Jane Dieulafoy (1851-1916), art critic Marc de Montifaud (1845-1912), and novelist and playwright Rachilde (1860-1953) defied the available terms for women who challenged gender norms. The book uses the contemporary lens of transgender to examine the fascinating and very different life stories of these overlooked historical figures, while introducing us to their writing and photography"-- Provided by publisher.

Dieulafoy, Jane, 1851-1916.

Rachilde, 1860-1953.

Montifaud, Mard de, 1845-1912.

Women's periodicals, French -- France -- History -- 20th century.

Transgender men -- France -- Biography.

Authors, French -- 19th century -- Biography.

Gender identity -- France -- History -- 19th century.

American Library in Paris Book Award submission, 2020

Includes bibliographical references (pages 323-333) and index.

American Library in Paris Book Award, 2020 shortlist

American Library in Paris 'Evenings with an Author' speaker, 2020-2021 season

Jane Dieulafoy : masculinity for God & country -- Rachilde : "To be strange or nothing at all" -- Marc de Montifaud : "I am me".

9781503606739 (cloth : alk. paper)

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American Library in Paris Book Award, 2020 shortlist