Villain Edit: John Henry Mackay

John Henry Mackay was a writer. Born in Scotland and raised in Germany, Mackay was the author of Die Anarchisten (The Anarchists, 1891) and Der Freiheitsucher (The Searcher for Freedom, 1921).

Later in life, under the pseudonym Sagitta, he wrote a number of problematic works that explored intergenerational fantasies and desires.

Early life

Mackay was born in Scotland in 1864. His father was Scottish and his mother came from a prosperous German family.

Mackay's father died during the early year's of Mackay's life, which saw his mother relocate back to Germany where Mackay grew up.

Writing

Mackay made his name as a poet and author of naturalist novels.

His novel Der Schwimmer: Die Geschichte einer Leidenschaft (The Swimmer: The Story of a Passion) (1901), was one of the first sports novels, set in the world of competitive swimming and diving. Sports that Mackay was enthusiastic about as a spectator.

Sagitta

In 1905, Mackay embarked on a literary project under the pseudonym of Sagitta.

The early volumes were banned by government authorities for indecency.

One of the themes of the Sagitta volumes was the variability of sexual identity and expression, as well as advocating for the decriminalisation of homosexuality.

The series included an autobiographical account of his own sexual interests - including a revelation that, as an adult, he was attracted to boys who were aged 14-17.

Mackay's Sagitta series is perceived as advocating for the normalisation of intergenerational relationships, which some would classify as pedophilia.

His seventh volume in the Sagitta series was published in 1926. Der Puppenjunge (The Hustler) tells the story of 16-year-old Gunther, who works as a prostitute in Berlin. It is also the story of Hermann, in his mid-20s, who becomes infatuated with Gunther.

Death

Mackay died in 1933, in a town near Berlin.