During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Eliza Burt Gamble (1841-1920) was an American novelist, lecturer, and social reformer who was well-known for her progressive stance on women's rights and sexuality. Gamble, who was born in Ohio, grew up in a Quaker home where social justice and equality were highly valued. "The God-Idea of the Ancients or Sex in Religion," which Gamble published in 1897, is his most well-known composition. This ground-breaking work questioned Victorian-era views on sex and morality by examining the relationships between sexuality and religious beliefs in ancient cultures. Gamble maintained that sexuality was a sacred and essential component of the human experience, highlighting its significance in religious rites and symbols. Apart from her literary works, Gamble participated actively in multiple social reform campaigns, promoting female suffrage, birth control, and sexual education. She was an outspoken advocate for Margaret Sanger and her ground-breaking work in the field of reproductive rights. In addition to provoking discussion and controversy, Gamble's work on sexuality and religion also helped to change public perceptions of these subjects. Her progressive ideas are still relevant to readers and academics today who are interested in the relationships between spirituality, sexuality, and social change.
