Sexual Symbolism: A History of Phallic Worship

by Richard Payne Knight, Thomas Wright

Two pioneering works of scholarship and learning constitute this Richard Payne Knight's A Discourse on the Worship of Priapus (1786) and Thomas Wright's The Worship of the Generative Powers During the Middle Ages of Western Europe (1866).
Characterized by a systematic approach that holds up remarkably well even today, this book has served as a foundation for numerous subsequent studies. As anthropologist Ashley Montagu notes, Knight's eighteenth-century work combines seriousness of purpose with ingenuity and wit. Its companion piece, Wright's nineteenth-century survey, ranges even further in scope, embracing the worship of the female as well as of the male generative powers. Both works have long been out of print, and this new edition will prove a great benefit to students and scholars.

Genres: Anthropology, Thelema

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Richard Payne Knight of Downton Castle in Herefordshire, and of 5 Soho Square, London, England, was a classical scholar, connoisseur, archaeologist and numismatist, best known for his theories of picturesque beauty and for his interest in ancient phallic imagery. He served as a Member of Parliament for Leominster (1780–84) and for Ludlow (1784–1806).

Reviews

[Damien]

The version of this that I read was titled "Two Essays on the Worship of Priapus" and is on Aleister Crowley's recommended reading list for his students.