Infamous: How Brothel Workers Shaped 19th-Century Cities

On Mar 2nd, we present : "Infamous: How Brothel Workers Shaped 19th-Century Cities" by Dr. L.K. Bertram.

Did brothel workers help build your city?

In this lecture, historian Dr. L.K. Bertram uncovers the hidden role of brothel workers and madams in shaping North American cities, with a particular focus on 19th-century Toronto. Drawing from a decade of archival research and a popular walking tour that mapped over 100 brothels, Bertram explores the secret codes and rules that governed city brothels, the stories of Toronto’s most notorious clients, and the lives and motivations of the women who ruled the city’s night society.

Expect a fascinating mix of social history, urban development, and human stories that reveal how sex work intersected with politics, business, and city building in ways you might never have imagined.

About the accomplished Professor L.K. Bertram

Dr. L.K. Bertram is an Associate Professor in the Department of History at the University of Toronto, specializing in social and urban history. Her research examines the hidden networks, policies, and communities that shaped cities in North America, with a focus on uncovering marginalized and overlooked voices.

She is the author of The Viking Immigrants: Icelandic North Americans (Winner CHA Clio Prize/ UTP 2020) and is currently finishing a book on the financial lives of sex workers in the 19th century West.

📅 Date: March 2, 2026
🕡 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Downtown Toronto (exact location revelaed in an email closer to the date)
🎤 Speaker: Prof. L.K. Bertram, PhD

🎟 Seats are limited! Early bird tickets available for a limited time.