Information on Charles Paine Pauli

Charles Paine Pauli, often linked with the notable 19th-century writer and explorer Samuel Butler, played a notable but somewhat enigmatic role in the context of LGBTI history in New Zealand. Born as the son of a German businessman, Pauli was an Oxford-educated individual who worked as an accountant at the Christchurch Press, where Butler had articles published. He was known for his physical appearance; a San Francisco barman reportedly once called him “the handsomest man God ever sent into San Francisco,” although a photo of him shows a fairly ordinary man with Victorian features.

Pauli's relationship with Butler began around 1863 when he visited Butler at the Carlton Hotel in Christchurch. This encounter marked the start of a complex and long-lasting relationship. Samuel Butler, who was known for his heterosexual activities as well, found in Pauli a personality unlike any he had previously encountered. Despite Butler's known patronage of female prostitutes, his connection with Pauli suggested a deeper, more emotionally charged relationship.

This relationship was not without its controversies and complexities. Pauli, described by some as a "parasitic lawyer," seemed to have lived off the financial support provided by Butler for over three decades. Their relationship bore similarities to other historical relationships where a younger man was supported by an older, wealthier patron, with minimal sexual interaction but significant emotional and financial dependency.

The nature of their relationship remains a matter of speculation. While there is evidence to suggest that Butler experienced significant emotional turmoil, possibly related to his relationship with Pauli, the exact nature of their intimacy is not clearly documented. What is known is that Butler left New Zealand abruptly in 1864, accompanied by Pauli to England, and continued to support him financially until Pauli's death in 1897.

Pauli's life remained largely private, and he did not disclose his living conditions or activities to Butler. It was only after Pauli's death in 1899 that Butler discovered Pauli had also been receiving financial support from the poet Algernon Swinburne and had lived quite comfortably. Interestingly, Pauli's will did not mention Butler, leading to a rueful comment from Butler about the dynamics of their relationship.