Information on Samuel Butler

Samuel Butler, a notable explorer and writer, has a compelling connection with LGBTI history in New Zealand. His life and relationships offer a fascinating glimpse into the complexities of sexual identity and social dynamics in the 19th century.

Born in 1835 in England, Butler is most famous for his literary works, including the novel "Erewhon." However, it is his personal life, particularly during his time in New Zealand, that sheds light on his relationships and possible sexual orientation, a topic that remains a subject of scholarly debate and interest.

In New Zealand, Butler formed a significant relationship with Charles Paine Pauli, whom he met in Christchurch. This connection was profound, with Butler supporting Pauli financially for over thirty years. Their relationship has been compared to that of Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas, suggesting a bond characterized by emotional depth and financial support, rather than being primarily sexual in nature. A barman in California once referred to Pauli as "the handsomest man God ever sent into San Francisco," highlighting Pauli's notable charm and attractiveness​​.

Butler's departure from New Zealand in 1864 was abrupt, and it is believed that his relationship with Pauli was a significant factor. Some have speculated that Butler was also influenced by a rejected romantic proposal to Mary Brittan, whom he allegedly proposed to in 1864. This suggests that Butler's sexual orientation may have been more fluid, as he was known to have heterosexual relationships later in life, though he never formed any long-term romantic attachments with women​​.

Further adding to the complexity of Butler's sexual identity, there was speculation about other male friendships in his life. His relationship with Henry Festing Jones, who gave up his job to become Butler's personal literary assistant and traveling companion, is particularly notable. They worked closely together, traveled extensively in Europe, and remained close until Butler's death. Another significant male friendship was with Hans Rudolf Faesch, a Swiss student. Butler's emotional attachment to Faesch was evident when he wrote a poem in his memory, although he later withdrew it due to fears of association with the Oscar Wilde scandal and its implications regarding homosexuality​​.

The last stanza of the poem reads:
The minutes have flown and he whom we loved is gone,
The like of whom we never again shall see.
The wind is heavy with snow and the sea rough,
He has a racking cough and his lungs are weak.
Hand in hand we watch the train as it glides,
Out, out, out into the night.
So take him into thy holy keeping, O Lord,
And guide him and guard him ever, and fare him well!

These relationships and the nature of Butler's interactions with these men have led some critics to suggest that he might have been a repressed or sublimated homosexual. His lifelong status as a bachelor, in an era when marriage was the norm for men of his class and background, further fuels this speculation. This view aligns Butler with contemporaries like Walter Pater, Henry James, and E.M. Forster, who were also thought to be closeted homosexuals​​.

In summary, Samuel Butler's life in New Zealand and his relationships, especially with Charles Paine Pauli, provide a fascinating window into the complexities of 19th-century sexual identities and relationships. His interactions suggest a man who formed deep emotional bonds with other men, even as societal norms of the time might have constrained the expression of these relationships. While definitive conclusions about his sexual orientation remain elusive, Butler's life offers rich material for understanding the nuances of human relationships and the spectrum of sexual identity.

Further information can be found at:

• vqa.dickinson.edu