Was art critic John Ruskin really repulsed by his wife's pubic hair?
Age: 80 when he died. Appearance: Flaccid. Possibly. Allegedly. Oh, I know this guy! He's the one who didn't know women had pubic hair! What? That is literally all I know. It's all anyone knows. He was an amazing man. An art critic, patron of many members of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, social philosopher, prescient proselytiser for environmental concerns, writer, philanthropist ... Wow! All that and he still didn't know anything about lady gardens. I can see we are going to have to deal with this issue. After all, the forthcoming film of his life, written by and starring Emma Thompson, seems to be placing it front and centre. An unfortunate phrase, but continue. Art historians who have seen previews of the film, Effie Gray – Is that the woman whose hoo-ha caused all the hoo-ha? She was his wife for five unconsummated years, yes, before leaving him for his protege John Millais. Woah! Five years? Because she had pubic hair? Will you just listen? Art histori...