16th Johanna and Leon Katz Memorial Lecture: Lost Worlds in 19th-Century Brothel Guidebooks In-Person
Why did so few brothel guidebooks survive from the 19th century? Burnt, trashed, and hidden from view, many brothel guidebook owners feared their copies might be discovered by wives, mothers or other family members. Surviving copies of these commercial brothel catalogues are now incredibly rare and valuable — and they can reveal much about the role of sex workers in fuelling 19th-century economies, sexual expression, and cultural innovation. From madams’ business strategies and approaches to advertising to secret codes, popular slang, and brothel architecture, join Dr. L.K. Bertram to explore the rich historical detail hidden in the pages of brothel guidebooks and other sources from 19th-century North American red light districts.
Dr. L.K. Bertram is an Associate Professor in the Department of History specializing in 19th-century histories of capitalism and technology, colonialism, and gender/ sexuality and a 2025 recipient of the University of Toronto Faculty of Arts and Science Outstanding Teaching Award.
Kindly register each individual attending separately. If you require any special accommodations, please get in touch with us at fisher.events@utoronto.ca.
- Date:
- Thursday, April 30, 2026
- Time:
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
- Campus:
- St. George (Downtown) Campus
- Audience:
- Alumni Community
- Categories:
- Event > Lecture
