History Hit podcast presenter Dr Anthony Delaney reveals the real people that inspired Gentleman Jack and the gay romances in Bridgerton, long written out of the nation's story and now lovingly restored.

'In this moving and revelatory book, Anthony Delaney gives a voice to women and men whose lives have been written out of history' Hallie Rubenhold, author of The Five and Story of a Murder

Mother Clap's Holborn coffee house is open to all comers, a place of companionship and community, until a tip-off leads to a midnight raid.

Two women, exiled from their families, set up a utopian homestead in a remote Welsh cottage, inspiring a generation of Romantic poets.

The celebrated Chevalier d'Éon, soldier, diplomat and spy, challenges a rival to a fencing match. The sweepstake is not over who will win, but whether the Chevalier is a man or a woman.

In this dazzling work of restorative history, Dr Anthony Delaney has traced the stories of people daring to challenge society's expectations, unearthing archives and court records to reveal the tragedies and the joys of queer life three centuries ago. Breathing new life into the forgotten and offering radical new interpretations of celebrated figures such as Anne Lister, Queer Georgians is an invitation to view our shared history in a whole new light.

'Reading this hitherto hidden history was a revelation. I was utterly enthralled from the first page to the last.' Tracy Borman, Chief Historian, Historic Royal Palaces and author of The Private Lives of the Tudors

'Anthony Delaney has opened the closet door of Jane Austen’s England and found people of every style - criminalised in their own time, ignored by ours, heroically finding their own ways.' Philippa Gregory, author of Normal Women

"Delaney writes with great precision... It's impossible not to feel invested in the drama and well-being of his most cherished characters... A hugely immersive read... Throughout the book, Delaney applies his rigorous academic discipline with a deft, joyous touch and occasional zeal. Here is a page turner one could as easily read on a beach as in a library. Queer Georgians is utterly riveting." - Irish Independent

"If you’ve been intrigued by the gay romances that featured in Bridgerton, or the legend of Anne Lister, the inspiration behind Sally Wainwright’s 2019 TV drama Gentleman Jack, then Queer Georgians brings both – and more – vividly to life." - i paper

"What Delaney achieves here is forensic brilliance. He doesn't just examine the famous queers we think we know—he dissects the very historical documents that recorded them, drawing out fascinating and genuinely empowering conclusions about the stubborn permeance of queer people and relationships throughout the last three centuries. It's detective work of the highest order, served with the kind of scholarly rigour that makes you want to clutch your pearls and applaud simultaneously." - Scene Mag

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What readers are saying about Queer Georgians:

'Fascinating and enlightening from beginning to end. I couldn’t put it down!'
'A book full of stories, gems and moments that will stay with you... A mix of joy, hope and pride on each page.'
'Accessible, relevant, beyond interesting - this is a delightful must-read book!'