If you’re reading this, like as not you are one of those who thrilled at the shirtless photo of Mark Twain that has been recently making its rounds around the Internet. Here at Flavorpill, we were so — ahem — excited by the snapshot that we decided to round up a few other highly sexy photos of highbrow authors from the last two centuries. After all, authors posing in various states of undress is a trend that shows no signs of dying out — you’ll be able to get your paws on a whole calendar of “nearly nude” Canadian authors later in the year. Check out some scandalous writers after the jump — and since sexy is subjective, link us to any unbearably steamy author photos you’ve found in the comments. But casual readers be warned: there is full frontal male and female nudity in this post.
Mark Twain, 1883. [Photo via]
You know what me, Ray Bradbury. [Photo via]
Photo Credit: formento+formento.
Michelle Tea for Canteen‘s Hot Authors Project, 2011.
Photo Credit: Cecil Beaton
A nubile Truman Capote reclining. [Photo via]
Norman Mailer in all his furry glory, in Maidstone. [Photo via]
Photo Credit: Robert Mapplethorpe
Patti Smith giving us the smolder, 1975. [Photo via]
Lawrence Durell is a ballerina (there’s nothing sexier than a writer who can dance). [Photo via]
A very steamy photo of William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg. [Photo via]
And of course, the famous lover-poets Allen Ginsberg and Peter Orlovsky, 1963. [Photo via]
Photo Credit: Michael Walker
Henry Miller and friends. [Photo via]
Colette on a lion skin, 1909. [Photo via]
Photo Credit: Tamotsu Yatō
Famously body-obsessed Yukio Mishima showing off all his hard work. [Photo via]
A young Anaïs Nin on the beach. [Photo via]
Photo Credit: Art Sharp
Simone de Beauvoir in the buff, 1952. [Photo via]
William Carlos Williams looking adorable. [Photo via]
Claire Lispector in Rio de Janeiro, 1959. [Photo via]
Ernest Hemingway with model Jean Patchett. Many more topless photos of Hemingway here.
Everyone’s favorite photo of Sylvia Plath. [Photo via]
Kathy Acker in 2007’s Who’s Afraid of Kathy Acker?. See also: Kathy Acker topless on her motorcycle. [Photo via]
The always gorgeous Zadie Smith, 2005. [Photo via]