Spinsters and Lesbian s THE CUTTIN G EDG E Lesbian Life and Literature THE CUTTIN G EDG E Lesbian Life and Literature Series Editor: Karla Jay Professor of English and Women's Studies PACE UNIVERSIT Y EDITORIAL BOAR D Judith Butler , Rhetori c Marny Hal l UNIVERSITY O F Psychotherapist an d Write r CALIFORNIA, BERKELE Y Celia Kitzinge r Blanche Wiesen Coo k Social Studie s History an d Women' s Studie s LOUGHBOROUGH JOHN JA Y COLLEG E AN D UNIVERSITY, U K CITY UNIVERSIT Y O F NE W YORK GRADUAT E CENTE R Jane Marcu s English an d Women's Studie s Diane Griffi n Crowde r CITY COLLEG E AN D CIT Y French an d Women' s Studie s UNIVERSITY O F NE W YOR K CORNELL COLLEG E GRADUATE CENTE R Joanne Glasgo w Biddy Marti n English an d Women's Studie s German Studie s an d Women' s BERGEN COMMUNIT Y Studies COLLEGE CORNELL UNIVERSIT Y iv • Editoria l Boar d Elizabeth A . Mees e Leila J. Rupp , Histor y English OHIO STAT E UNIVERSIT Y UNIVERSITY O F ALABAM A Ann Alle n Shockle y Esther Newto n Librarian Anthropology FISK UNIVERSIT Y SUNY, PURCHAS E Elizabeth Woo d Terri d e la Pen a Musicologist an d Write r Novelist/Short Stor y Write r Committee o n Theory an d Culture Ruthann Robson , Write r NEW YOR K UNIVERSIT Y LAW SCHOOL , QUEEN S COLLEGE Bonnie Zimmerma n CITY UNIVERSIT Y O F NE W Women's Studie s YORK SAN DIEG O STAT E UNIVERSITY THE CUTTIN G EDGE : Lesbian Life and Literature Series Editor: Karla Jay The Cook and the Carpenter: A Novel by the Carpenter by June Arnol d with a n introductio n b y Bonni e Zimmerma n Ladies Almanack by Djun a Barne s with a n introductio n b y Susa n Sniade r Lanse r Adventures of the Mind: The Memoirs of Natalie Clifford Barney translated b y John Spaldin g Gatto n with a n introductio n b y Karl a Ja y Sophia Parnok: The Life and Work of Russia's Sappho by Dian a Burgi n Paint It Today by H.D. (Hild a Doolittle ) edited an d wit h a n introductio n b y Cassandra Lait y The Angel and the Perverts by Luci e Delarue-Mardru s translated an d wit h a n introductio n b y Anna Livi a v Heterosexual Plots and Lesbian Narratives Marilyn R . Farwel l Spinsters and Lesbians: Independent Womanhood in the United States by Trisha Franze n Diana: A Strange Autobiography by Dian a Frederic s with a n introductio n b y Julie L . Abraha m Lover by Bertha Harri s Elizabeth Bowen: A Reputation in Writing by rene e c . hooglan d Lesbian Erotics edited b y Karl a Ja y Changing Our Minds: Lesbian Feminism and Psychology by Celi a Kitzinge r an d Rache l Perkin s (Sem)Erotics: Theorizing Lesbian : Writing by Elizabeth A . Mees e Bisexuality and the Challenge to Lesbian Politics: Sex, Loyalty, and Revolution by Paul a C . Rus t The Search for a Woman-Centered Spirituality by Annette J. Va n Dyk e I Know My Own Heart: The Diaries of Anne Lister, 1791-1840 edited b y Helena Whitbrea d No Priest but Love: The Journals of Anne Lister, 1824-26 edited b y Helena Whitbrea d Spinsters and Lesbian s Independent Womanhood in the United States Trisha Franze n NEW YOR K UNIVERSIT Y PRES S New Yor k and London NEW YOR K UNIVERSIT Y PRES S New Yor k an d Londo n Copyright © 199 6 b y New Yor k Universit y All rights reserve d Library o f Congres s Cataloging-in-Publicatio n Dat a Franzen, Trisha, 1951- Spinsters an d lesbian s : independent womanhoo d i n the Unite d States / Trisha Franzen . p. cm . — (Th e cutting edge ) Includes bibliographica l reference s an d index . ISBN 0-8147-2641-0. — ISB N 0-8147-2642-9 (pbk. ) 1. Lesbianism—Unite d States . 2 . Singl e women—United States . 3. Feminism—Unite d States . 4 . Women—Unite d States—Biography . I. Title . II . Series : Cutting edg e (Ne w York , N.Y. ) HQ75.6.U5F73 199 6 3o6.76'63—dc2o 95-3246 4 CIP New Yor k Universit y Pres s book s ar e printed o n acid-fre e paper, an d thei r bindin g materials ar e chosen fo r strengt h and durability . Manufactured i n the United State s o f Americ a 10 98765432 1 .