Love, Desire and Melancholy

Inspired by the digitisation of the autobiographical writings of Constance Maynard, this volume considers women’s historical experience of sexuality through the frame of the history of emotions. Maynard’s life writings are a valuable source for scholars of gender and sexuality, as, writing about her relationships with both teachers and students, Maynard attempted to understand her emotions and desires within the frame of her evangelical religious culture. The contributions to this volume draw out the significance of Maynard’s writings for the histories of gender, sexuality, religion, and the emotions. This book was originally published as a special issue of Women’s History Review.