Ralph Werther – författare

First printed in 1918, Ralph Werther's Autobiography of an Androgyne charts his emerging self-understanding as a member of the "third sex" and documents his explorations of queer underworlds in turn-of-the-century New York City. Werther presents a sensational life narrative that begins with a privileged upper-class birth and a youthful realization of his difference from other boys. He concludes with a decision to undergo castration. Along the way, he recounts intimate stories of adolescent sexual encounters with adult men and women, escapades as a reckless "fairie" who trolled Brooklyn and the Bowery in search of working-class Irish and Italian immigrants, and an immersion into the subculture of male "inverts." This new edition also includes a critical introduction by Scott Herring that situates the text within the scientific, historical, literary, and social contexts of urban American life in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries. Tracing how this pioneering autobiography engages with conversations on immigration, gender, economics, metropolitan working-class culture, and the invention of homosexuality across class lines, this edition is ideal for courses on topics ranging from Victorian literature to modern American sexuality.

Autobiography of an Androgyne is an autobiographical account of Ralph Werther, who was born female but later identified as an androgyne, meaning a person with both masculine and feminine characteristics. The book chronicles Werther''s journey of self-discovery, including struggles with gender identity, sexuality, and mental illness. Werther describes growing up in a strict religious household and feeling like an outsider due to their gender identity. As they enter adulthood, Werther becomes involved in the early 20th-century LGBTQ+ community and eventually meets a doctor who performs a hysterectomy, allowing Werther to present as male. The book also covers Werther''s relationships with lovers, both male and female and their experiences with discrimination and social stigma. Throughout the book, Werther explores the complexities of gender and identity and highlights the importance of self-acceptance and understanding.

"The Female Impersonators" by Ralph Werther is a sequel to his earlier work "Autobiography of an Androgyne." In this book, Werther offers an account of his experiences during his six years as a female-impersonator in New York's underworld. Werther's book not only describes his own experiences but also includes the life stories of his androgyne associates. Moreover, he provides an outline of his subsequently acquired knowledge of kindred phenomena of human character and psychology. The book sheds light on the lives of individuals who lived outside the mainstream, exploring their motivations and struggles. Through his experiences, Werther highlights the complex nature of gender identity and how individuals navigate societal expectations and their own desires. "The Female Impersonators" provides a glimpse into the underground world of New York in the early 20th century and the lives of those who lived on its margins.