Ben Cable

Cable Muse Network, LLC

P.O. Box 33443

Phoenix, AZ 85067-3443

 

Ms. Imbritt Wiese
Haeberle-Hirschfeld-Archiv
Universitätsbibliothek
Humboldt-Universität
Hessische  Str. 1-2
10115 Berlin, Germany

 

November 1, 2008

 

Ms. Imbritt Wiese and Prof. Erwin J. Haeberle,

It is my honor to present the enclosed Harry Benjamin, Alfred Kinsey letters and supporting documents to the Haeberle-Hirschfeld-Archiv at the Humboldt-Universität.

The majority of the documents eloquently describe a period of human history when transsexuals were considered abnormal and the public responded with a circus like atmosphere; media hounded some, as if they were Frankenstein. Clandestine meetings with doctors were required in order to interview on the progress of the change in gender. Many of these women were unable to support themselves within traditional roles of employment; all of these issues and more surface within the letters between Dr. Harry Benjamin and Dr. Alfred Kinsey. The collection also includes one of Kinsey’s last known correspondences with a colleague before his death in 1956.  The Benjamin/Kinsey letters give insight into the challenges of studying sexuality and sexual identity in the 1950’s.

The decision to donate the materials to the Haeberle-Hirschfeld-Archiv was not easy. The Kinsey Institute at IndianaUniversity had an extensive and highly respected Kinsey collection. My decision was not based on who was the biggest; it was about accessibility for student and scholars. In addition, the documents are equally about Dr. Harry Benjamin, born in Berlin. Harry Benjamin was considered as the foremost scholar on "transsexualism" in his day. The new facility in Berlin will be a great attraction to scholars and it will provide an excellent venue and opportunities for the words of these two great men to be read by generations to come.

I was entrusted with these documents over a decade ago by a reliable source. The intent was for me to report on the contents. The Benjamin/Kinsey stories from these letters are remarkable. This correspondence takes the reader beyond “Kinsey” the movie or any book. I have overextended my review period of these important documents. My study is complete and now my work can begin.

Benjamin and Kinsey believed in the exchange of valid scientific information, hopefully I am completing their legacies with this donation. I am honored to present this collection to Prof. Erwin J. Haeberle and Humboldt University, Berlin; in an unofficial capacity on behalf and in the memories of Doctor Harry Benjamin and Doctor Alfred Kinsey.

With great respect,

 

 

Ben Cable

Editor and CEO

Cable Muse Network, LLC

CableMuse.com

 

 

Cc: Prof. Erwin J. Haeberle

 

Encl: Kinsey/Benjamin documents