The Scientist as Sex Crusader: Alfred C. Kinsey and American Culture

Abstract

sex researcher, dashed off a note to his friend and colleague Alfred Charles Kinsey. Dickinson's copy of newly published Sexual Behavior in Human Male, which he had awaited one of keenest anticipations of a lifetime, had arrived. I have my copy at last of SBHM! he informed Kinsey. Glory to God!' a lively correspondence throughout 1940s two men had shared enthusiasm for Kinsey's studies in human sexuality, their mutual respect enhanced by appreciation of social significance of this work. Given chance to see Kinsey's labors in print, Dickinson's excitement grew: Dear ACE: he wrote Kinsey in February, In sex education, and marriage counsel [sic] and v.d. and prostitution attacks . . . we would, in America, hereafter, speak of Pre-Kinsey and Post-Kinsey eras.2 The press, public, and expert opinion subsequently confirmed Dickinson's assessment. Writers dubbed Sexual Behavior in Human Male the most talked about book of twentieth century. Others ranked it with Das Kapital, The Origin of Species, and Wealth of Nations. Indeed,