Thomas Baty

Thomas Baty (8 February 1869 – 9 February 1954), also known as Irene Clyde, was an English gender non-conforming international lawyer, writer, and activist. A prominent legal scholar and authority on international law, Baty was the legal advisor to the Japanese Foreign Office from 1916 to 1952, and authored numerous works on legal theory and practice. Under the name Irene Clyde, Baty co-founded and edited the gender-progressive journal Urania (1916–1940) and advocated for radical feminism and the rejection of the gender binary. Modern scholars have variously described Baty as non-binary, genderfluid, transgender, or a trans woman.

Baty won a scholarship to The Queen's College, Oxford following the death of Baty's father, graduating with a degree in jurisprudence in 1892. Baty completed further studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, leading to academic appointments at several universities and a prolific scholarly output. Under the name Irene Clyde, Baty published the novel Beatrice the Sixteenth (1909), which depicted a postgender and feminist utopian society, and founded the short-lived radical feminist Aëthnic Union. Urania, co-founded with like-minded collaborators, served as a platform to challenge binary conceptions of gender. Baty began advising the Japanese government in 1916, which led to Baty being awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, initially receiving its third class distinction in 1920 before being upgraded to second class in 1936.

While in Japan, Baty developed a legal philosophy that emphasised effective territorial control as the chief criterion for state recognition, a principle invoked to support Japanese imperial ambitions. Baty represented Japan in various international forums such as the League of Nations, and continued working in Japan throughout World War II despite the escalating global conflict. Baty's alignment with Japanese policy prompted the British government to consider bringing treason charges, which were ultimately dropped in favour of revoking Baty's citizenship. The remaining nine years of Baty's life were spent in Japan, advising the government until 1952. Baty was posthumously honoured by Japanese officials, with the funeral service receiving flowers from Emperor Hirohito and eulogies being delivered by Prime Minister Shigeru Yoshida and Foreign Minister Katsuo Okazaki.