Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850

The #WXDA project gives you access to a growing database of 18th- and 19th-century periodical records of gender-variant garb. Link ⤵️ 173 records available now.

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

Just launched: the #WXDA Advisory Board! Check out their bios here:

https://t.co/pHUme93pmd

Sincere thanks to my wonderful colleagues Katherine Binhammer, @SBurrowsFBTEE, Jeremy Chow, @KleinUla, M. A. Miller, and @rays6 for agreeing to serve.

@uw_english @uwaterlooARTS

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 30 Jan. 1787, the Times of London published a vitriolic commentary on the characterization by Mrs. Siddons of Imogen.

Siddons's "dignity and grace" are said to have been lost with her petticoats, as was a big part of her "consequence."

https://t.co/AYe6bFauyo

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

On 28 Jan. 1848, the Times of London published a review of the farce "Our National Defences."

The male lead character is played by Madame Celeste. The actress commands a troop of juveniles acted by young ladies as well.

https://t.co/kCSSYPPkmJ

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

On 23 Jan. 1849, the Times of London published a review of the comic drama "Brigands in the Bud."

The plot, based on Swedish former students living a marauding life, is interpretated by a troup of women.

https://t.co/WeJPXAJQAl

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 22 Jan. 1849, the Times of London published a report of the defense displayed by the sisters M'Veagh against a party of Irish men who tried to set their father's barn on fire.

Both of them were dressed in men's clothes.

https://t.co/o59EPC8ivf

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 21 Jan. 1848, the Times of London published a review of the operetta "The Young Guard."

Madame Thillon plays the role Estella, a peasant girl enlisted as a soldier thanks to her disguise as a male minstrel.

https://t.co/tm3na8ork3

[Colby Gordon @badinfinity2]

Found the earliest printed image of Joan of Arc at the @NewberryLibrary, very into the lipstick and breasty armor

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 20 Jan. 1786, the Times of London published an episode of "Selim and Zelis, an Oriental Tale."

In this part of the story, Zelis disguises herself as a young boy to escape her father and visit her lover in prison.

https://t.co/xBU2wQFOCT

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 19 Jan. 1833, the Times of London published a review of a party given at Hatfield House.

Ladies Mildred and Blanche Cecil (daughters of the host and hostess) were both attired as heralds, participating in tableaux drawn from Scott's "Ivanhoe."

https://t.co/7ZJzbnDEGm

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 19 Jan. 1849, the Times of London published a review of the play "Armand; or, the Peer and the Peasant."

The representation featured a small cross-dressing part as Miss Villars was acting a page.

https://t.co/TMQEOR9RPE

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

On 12 Jan. 1848, the Times of London published a news report about the assault of one Mr. Quinn by a man dressed in woman's clothes with a blackened face.

The colonial situation in Ireland lets us presume that the crime is related to colonial resistance.

https://t.co/PV7ovymRhs

[Fraser Easton @fraser_easton]

A “female chartist” played by a boy in a school production of Terence’s drama “Phormio” in 1833 @AntigoneJournal

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 19 Dec. 1785, the Times of London published a short comment on the casting choice made by the opera producer Gallini.

He is said to have "acted wisely in casting Signora Sestini for the principal men's parts in the Italian Opera."

https://t.co/rc8g36LeIL

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 19 Dec. 1833, the Times of London published a review of a student play given at St. Peter's College.

This rewriting of Terence's "Phormio" staged Mr. Sommerville and Mr. Ingram in the female parts of Nausistrata (the female chartist) and Sophrona.

https://t.co/zWJ3Wcp4mV

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 17 Dec. 1833, the Times of London published a review of the theatres in Paris after a gloomy period of cholera and political turmoil.

One of the ballet displayed a "most remarkable scene" of military exercise by "69 warriors of the other sex".

https://t.co/qzImfnIAGu

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 15 Dec. 1849, the Times of London published a review of the Masquerade given by M. Jullien at Covent-Garden.

Among the public could be seen "a stream of débardeurs and débardeuses", as well as antisemitic and orientalist disguises.

https://t.co/ZFK8MtrVgC

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 12 Dec. 1785, the Times of London published a review of the "Tragedy of Percy."

The author notes that some lines are "apropos" with the recent arrival of the Chevalier d'Eon as they discuss men becoming feminine and ladies becoming masculine.

https://t.co/pTtZiF75sJ

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 11 Dec. 1801, the Times of London published a short news report about a "girl" who served as a sailor on several voyages at sea.

The case falls under criminalized cross-dressing as this person was charged as "disorderly in a sailor's habit".

https://t.co/hceisH3VBs

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 9 Dec. 1785, the Times of London published an extract of a letter about the wife of M. de Puysegur.

"Unable to bear the shock of separation," she disguised herself as a cabin boy to embark on the frigate he was to command.

https://t.co/hQEEaNsWz5

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

Note that the castrato is seen as monstrous here. A hierarchy of gender transitions?

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

A reminder of the flexible mores around the breeches part: the anonymous author prefers to see an opera's male soprano part converted into a trouser role.

Better to have a woman singer appear in the "Opera-breeches" than to make use of a castrated male singer (castrato).

[Waterloo Cross-Dressing Archive, c. 1730 to 1850 @WXDAproject]

#OTD 7 Dec. 1802, the Times of London published a review of a performance given by Mrs. Gerbini at the opera.

The author wrote "We see no reason why female singers should not perform all Soprano parts."

https://t.co/TKby80DrFs