E.M. Forster (1879–1970)

E.M. Forster (1879–1970) was a renowned British novelist known for his insightful and influential works, most notably "A Room with a View," "Howards End," and "A Passage to India." While Forster's literary achievements are central to his legacy, his personal life and sexual orientation have also been topics of interest.

Recommended Reading: Maurice: A Novel | A Room with a View | Selected Stories


Forster was gay, a fact that he largely kept private during his lifetime due to the societal norms and legal restrictions of the time. He lived in an era when homosexuality was criminalized in many places, and societal attitudes were often intolerant. Forster's novels, while not explicitly focused on LGBTQ+ themes, do reflect some of the challenges and conflicts faced by individuals in a society marked by rigid social expectations.

After Forster's death in 1970, his sexual orientation became more widely acknowledged, as his close friends and scholars began to discuss it openly. The posthumous publication of Forster's "Maurice," a novel he wrote in 1913–1914 but did not publish during his lifetime due to its explicit depiction of same-sex love, further illuminated his personal experiences and struggles as a gay man.

Today, E.M. Forster is celebrated not only for his literary contributions but also for his courage in navigating a world that was often hostile to those who identified as LGBTQ+. His impact on literature extends beyond his storytelling prowess, encompassing a legacy that includes advocacy for greater acceptance and understanding of diverse sexual orientations.