James and John

More about the book

Through the lens of a landmark trial, Chris Bryant MP explores the harrowing experiences of James Pratt and John Smith, two men convicted of homosexuality in early 19th-century Britain. Set against a backdrop of societal change, their story reveals the stark realities of prejudice and injustice during a time when the government was reforming many laws but remained cruelly unyielding towards homosexuals. Drawing from extensive archival research, Bryant uncovers the tragic fate of these men, highlighting the hypocrisy and brutality of the era.