Summary
Havelock Ellis’s Studies in the Psychology of Sex (published in multiple volumes between 1897–1928) is one of the foundational works in modern sexology. Volume 2: Sexual Inversion focuses on what Ellis termed “sexual inversion,” or homosexuality.
At the time, the subject was largely misunderstood and pathologized, but Ellis approached it with a pioneering mix of scientific observation, case studies, and cultural analysis.
Instead of outright moral condemnation (which was common in his era), Ellis attempted to present homosexuality as a natural variation in human sexuality.
He examined historical accounts, literary references, and personal testimonies to argue for a more empathetic and scientific understanding of same-sex attraction.
While his work still reflects the medicalized and limited frameworks of his time, it marked an important step toward the study of sexuality as a legitimate scientific and social field.