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Welcome to the History Extra podcast, fascinating historical conversations from the makers of BBC History Magazine.

In 1877, the activist and reformer Annie Bessent stood on trial for selling an obscene publication.

This obscene publication was a pamphlet designed to educate

the masses on birth control. And who better to defend her against these accusations of obscenity,

concluded Annie in the Dock, than herself. This sensational legal case, along with the defiant woman at the heart of it,

is a subject of a new book by Michael Meyer.

And I spoke to him to find out more about how it scandalised Victorian society.

Thank you so much for joining me, Michael,

to talk about your brilliantly titled book, a dirty, filthy book.

So that title comes from a quote, which is actually used to describe another book, which

was first published in the 1830s, or we might describe it as a pamphlet. It was the fruits of philosophy

by Charles Nolton. So, bit of context. Nolton's book went on to stir up a massive

scandal in Victorian Britain that culminated in a sensational courtroom drama in 1877, and that

is really at the heart of your book. So, the fruits of philosophy sounds quite innocuous,

but what was in it that was so controversial?

First of all, it's really an honor to be here. Thanks for having me on. So this is a pamphlet that was

...