Bertram Cope’s Year chronicles the experiences of Bertram Cope, a young literature instructor who arrives in the fictional town of Churchton to pursue his graduate studies. Set in early 20th-century America, the novel explores Cope’s interactions with the town’s residents, where his charisma and charm quickly captivate those around him. As Cope navigates social engagements and forms close relationships, particularly with his friend Arthur Lemoyne, the narrative subtly examines themes of companionship, love, and societal expectations. Fuller’s writing is distinguished by its witty dialogue and astute social commentary, offering a critique of American social norms of the period. Published in 1919, Bertram Cope’s Year is recognized for its early portrayal of same-sex relationships in literature, depicting them with nuance and sensitivity uncommon for its time. The novel invites readers to reflect on the complexities of identity and relationships in an evolving society. This book is part of the Standard Ebooks project, which produces free public domain ebooks.

"Bertram Cope's Year" by Henry Blake Fuller is set in the present, at the time of its writing, on the campus of a university in fictional Churchton, Illinois, modeled on Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where Bertram Cope, an attractive young English instructor, is spending a year completing his thesis. While he has a certain sophistication, he is socially unaware, easily impressed by the wealthy and their comforts. Lacking confidence, Cope is too careful and self-conscious as he tries to find his place in local society. Cope becomes the elusive object of desire, either social or sexual or some combination of the two, for an older woman, two older men, and three young women. Cope's primary emotional attachment is to his college chum Arthur Lemoyne, who comes to live with him. Their relationship appears to end after Lemoyne, acting the female part in a play, makes a physical advance backstage that offends another male student.

In 1918, when Henry Blake Fuller was 62 years old, he completed the manuscript of a novel, Bertram Cope’s Year. Though Fuller was well known as an accomplished realist and had published twelve previous novels, this work was his first published fiction to address the topic of homosexuality. In the novel Bertram Cope, a handsome young college student, is befriended by Medora Phillips, a wealthy older woman who tries to match him with several eligible young women. However, Bertram is emotionally attached only to his friend and housemate, Arthur Lemoyne. The novel’s portrayal of their friendship is subtle, but has clear overtones of sexual attraction. Appendices focus on the novel’s composition, reception, and place in contemporary discourses about attraction between men.

The wear and tear of being a homosexual early this century when you had to keep quiet. The hero is a college professor who leads a double life, straight at work, gay at home. Originally published in 1919, the novel had a quick death, shunned by society.

A literary triumph by a contemporary of Henry James, this novel centers around a young Midwestern college professor named Bertram Cope, and involves, among other things, the courtship of Cope by a gay older man. Copyright © Libri GmbH. All rights reserved.

In this work, respected pop culture historian Anthony Slide resurrects 50 early 20th century novels with gay themes or characters and discusses them in carefully researched, engaging prose.