# The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects throughout the World

**Author:** William Sanger
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**Price:** Free
**Formats:** DOCX, EPUB, FB2, PDF, TXT
**Downloads:** 19
**Added:** 10.07.2026
**URL:** https://samolit.com/books/96049

## Description

William Sanger's monumental 1858 work, The History of Prostitution, offers an exhaustive global examination of a phenomenon he deems an enduring societal concern. As a New York City physician, Sanger undertook extensive research, including interviews with 2,000 prostitutes in 1850s New York, to analyze its prevalence, underlying causes, and far-reaching effects across diverse cultures and historical periods.

From ancient civilizations, including early Jewish societies, through medieval Europe, and into his contemporary American setting, Sanger meticulously details the evolution of sex work. He explores the economic hardships and social factors that often led women into prostitution, drawing connections between poverty, low wages, and the spread of venereal diseases like syphilis. More than a historical account, this pioneering study also proposes controversial remedial measures, advocating for regulated prostitution to mitigate its harmful consequences. Sanger's comprehensive, though often opinionated, approach provides an invaluable, albeit historically contextualized, insight into the complex history of prostitution worldwide.