Kathleen Luby

In this engaging discussion, Professor Kathleen Luby, an 18th-century literature specialist, dives into the intriguing history of pornography. She reveals how printed porn emerged in the 1740s and gained a narrative depth. Luby highlights the presence of queer narratives and the role of porn as social protest. She contrasts the nuanced views of the 18th century with the misogynistic tropes of the 19th century, exploring themes of consent and the evolution of sexual privacy. With a focus on lost archives, Luby invites a deeper understanding of erotic literature's impact on society.