History Match-Up

The following historical figures all had same sex relationships at some time in their lives and/or transgressed society's gender norms. For many, their gender and sexual identities had a profound impact on their contributions to society. How many are included in your curriculum? Are the connections between their identities and what they gave to the world openly discussed in your classroom?

Bernice Abbott (1898-1991): U.S. photographer considered to be a renegade by her peers. Her subjects included Andre Gide and James Joyce. Well known photo documentaries include Changing New York and Route 1.

Jane Addams (1860-1935): U.S. social reformer, peace activist and writer. Considered by many to be the founder of the social work profession. Founded Hull House and other settlement houses in the Chicago area.

Dorothy Allison (1949- ): U.S. writer born into a working class South Carolina family. Praised for fiercely lyric honesty and compelling power and voice, this writer received acclaim for Bastard Out of Carolina, which was also made into a film.

Pedro Almodovar (1951- ): Spanish filmmaker and the most commercially successful director in the history of Spanish cinema. Know for a controversial style and resistance to political correctness, this director is known for films including Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.

Rachel Carson (1907-1964): U.S. naturalist and writer. Studied zoology at Johns Hopkins and worked as a marine biologist for the Fish and Wildlife service in Washington, D.C. Wrote four best-sellers, including The Sea Around Us and Silent Spring.

Willa Cather (1873-1947): U.S. writer who published a total of 19 books in various genres, including O Pioneers! and My Antonia. This writer’s novels are frequently set in Nebraska and Western pioneer farm settings, and explore the power of the land and the complex relationships of those who dwell on it.

Barney Frank (1940- ): U.S. Democratic politician, first elected to the House of Representatives in 1980 and repeatedly reelected with majorities as high as 70%. This Boston representative is known for wit and keen strategic skills, and has been a vocal leader of the liberal opposition.

Lorraine Hansberry (1930-1965): U.S. writer and activist who began career as a writer for Freedom, Paul Robeson’s newspaper. Went on to write the award wining play, A Raisin in the Sun, the first play by an African American woman to be produced on Broadway.

Margaret Mead (1901-1978): U.S. anthropologist and writer who became world famous for studies of South Seas peoples, especially Coming of Age in Samoa. Wrote more than 1,000 articles and 30 books in addition to working as curator at the Museum of Natural History in New York.

Michelangelo (1475-1564): Italian sculptor, painter, architect and poet who believed that art could capture and preserve the memory of beauty. Masterpieces include Davide, The Last Judgment, and the architectural plans for St. Peter’s Basilica.

Yukio Mishima (1925-1970): This writer and actor published some 40 novels, 18 plays and numerous essays, most notably Confessions of a Mask. Also a fanatical bodybuilder and martial arts expert, he attempted to organize a military revolt, the failure of which led to his decapitation.

Ma Rainey (1886-1939): U.S. singer who grew up in the south in minstrel and vaudeville shows. First of the great blues artists. Recorded almost 100 songs during the Harlem Renaissance including See See Rider Blues.

Renee Richards (1936- ): Born Richard Raskin, this 1970’s tennis star underwent sex reassignment surgery and brought transsexual rights into the national consciousness. After winning a court challenge on privacy grounds, she succeeded in entering the 1976 U.S. Open in the women’s division.

Bayard Rustin (1910-1987): U.S. civil rights activist and writer who organized the NY Congress of Racial Equality and helped to end racial discrimination in the military. Was a chief political advisor, strategist, and speechwriter for Martin Luther King Jr. and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington.

Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893): This Russian composer was prone to suicidal attacks of depression and bursts of manically productive creativity. Was the composer of symphonies, ballets, and operas including Romeo and Juliet, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker.

Bill Tilden (1893-1953): This tennis star was the #1 ranked amateur player from 1920-1929 and was the first American to win a Wimbledon singles championship. Later set an unprecedented pro record of 340 wins, and was also an accomplished writer.

Alan Turing (1912-1954): English mathematician and scientist most known for breaking the German "Enigma" code during World War II and for pioneering work in the field of technology. Considered by many to be the father of the modern day computer.

Bios adapted from Completely Queer: The Gay and Lesbian Encyclopedia by Steve Hogan and Lee Hudson. ©1998 by Steve Hogan and Lee Hudson. Reprinted by permission of Henry Holt and Co., LLC


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