Queer Follies: Effeminacy and Aestheticism in fin-de-siècle France, the Case of Baron d’Adelsward Fersen and Count de Warren

Abstract

On July 10, 1903, the daily newspaper Le Matin reported a “big scandal” in the French capital. The headline on page two was promising. It read “Satanic Masses,” followed in smaller type by the tantalizing nuggets: “Orgies and Saturnalia,” and “Monsieur d’Ardouzet [sic] Arrested Last Night.” That same day another daily, Le Figaro, relegated the story to its crime news column deep inside the paper, but it was equally quick to underline salacious aspects of the case with the headline: “A Parisian Scandal.” A newspaper well-known for its conservative politics, Le Figaro noted coyly that the suspects, “Count de W.” and “Baron d A.,” were “from excellent families.” What offense were these crime reporters buzzing about? This item, which was buried on page four of Le Journal on the day of the arrests, sketched out the story.

“What books, which companions, which neuroses or mental aberations provoked these shameful practices and the attention of the police?” (Le Matin, 11 July 1903)