The Fellowship of the Naked Trust

The Fellowship of the Naked Trust (FNT), is believed to be the world’s earliest naturist club as defined by western society. Based on discovered correspondence between, Charles Edward Gordon Crawford and Edward Carpenter are believed to be the founders started the club/commune. ¹ What was the earliest recorded example of a nudist colony?They gathered  in Thane located on Salsette Island to the Northeast of Mumbai in what was British India in 1891. ²World’s first-ever nudist colony discovered near Mumbai

The club was comprised of only three members including, Carpenter and  Crawford who we’re British Civil servants in India. New members would be accepted if nominated by two existing members. ³  Socialism and the first nudist colony – the queer tale of naturism, a Fabian fairy and a kinky judge Members of the club were required to be  completely naked with the exception of some jewelry, like rings and eyeglasses and false teeth. Political and sectarian discussions were prohibited.

While one woman expressed interest she ultimately did not join the group. One of the members seems to have been connected with an emerging queer movement in Victorian England. ⁴World’s first nudist colony was in Thane (and this man proved it)

The club ended in 1892 when Crawford remarried. ⁵World’s first-ever nudist colony discovered near Mumbai

References

• 1
  What was the earliest recorded example of a nudist colony?
• 2
  World’s first-ever nudist colony discovered near Mumbai
• 3
   Socialism and the first nudist colony – the queer tale of naturism, a Fabian fairy and a kinky judge
• 4
  World’s first nudist colony was in Thane (and this man proved it)
• 5
  World’s first-ever nudist colony discovered near Mumbai