Join us for a discussion on Publishing Sexual Aberrance in the Victorian Age with William Hepworth Dixon. This presentation will examine Dixon's portrayal of the Shakers and the Oneida Community in his books New America and Spiritual Wives. OC leader John Humphrey Noyes took umbrage at Dixon's portrayal, resulting in a lengthy public war of words. For better or worse, Dixon gave each community global exposure, offering Victorians a vicarious opportunity to engage with counter-cultural religious traditions.

Presenter: Christian Goodwillie is director and curator of special collections at the Burke Library of Hamilton College in Clinton, NY. He was curator of collections at Hancock Shaker Village from 2001-2009 and has authored, co-authored, or edited twelve books and numerous articles on the Shakers, Freemasonry, and other topics.