Abstract
Correspondence comprising 120 letters, written between 1859 & 1869 by Addie Brown to Rebecca Primus, chronicle the open romantic relationship of the two women & provide a different perspective of nineteenth-century lesbianism. A review of the letters demonstrates the erotic & romantic nature of their relationship, as well as the general acceptance & support of friends & family, who viewed the relationship as a natural outgrowth of their friendship, while often reminding that it should not interfere with the possibility of marriage. While most literature on nineteenth-century lesbianism focuses on middle-class whites, the correspondence suggests new areas of study & demands a reevaluation of categories & concepts. 99 References. M. Piciocchi