| Revision as of 17:13, 30 December 2004 editJimWae (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers37,709 edits merge← Previous edit | Revision as of 18:44, 30 December 2004 edit undoJimWae (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers, Rollbackers37,709 edits some clarity, I hopeNext edit → | ||
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| There is debate about the possibility that ] may have been ] or ]. | There is debate about the possibility that ] may have been ] or ]. | ||
| Abraham Lincoln is known to have lived for four years with ], when both men were in their twenties. They shared a bed during these years and developed a friendship that would last until their deaths. A number of biographers, beginning with ] in ], have suggested or implied that this relationship was ], though others have argued that Lincoln and Speed shared a bed because of their ] circumstances, and that at the time it was not unusual for two men to share a bed - indeed, that Lincoln was open about the fact that they had shared a bed in seen by some historians as |
Abraham Lincoln is known to have lived for four years with ], when both men were in their twenties. They shared a bed during these years and developed a friendship that would last until their deaths. A number of biographers, beginning with ] in ], have suggested or implied that this relationship was ], though others have argued that Lincoln and Speed shared a bed because of their ] circumstances, and that at the time it was not unusual for two men to share a bed - indeed, that Lincoln was open about the fact that they had shared a bed in seen by some historians as an indication that their relationship was in no way romantic. | ||
| Lincoln meet Speed in ] in ]. When Speed left Lincoln and returned to his native ] in ], on the eve of Lincoln's marriage to Mary Todd, Lincoln is believed to have suffered something approaching ]. Despite having some political differences over slavery, Lincoln and Speed corresponded for the rest of their lives and Lincoln appointed Joshua's brother, ], to his cabinet as ]. | Lincoln meet Speed in ] in ]. When Speed left Lincoln and returned to his native ] in ], on the eve of Lincoln's marriage to ], Lincoln is believed to have suffered something approaching ]. Despite having some political differences over slavery, Lincoln and Speed corresponded for the rest of their lives and Lincoln appointed Joshua's brother, ], to his cabinet as ]. | ||
| Lincoln shared beds with several other men during his life. Amongst these was an army officer, ], assigned to Lincoln's bodyguard in ]. Several sources |
Lincoln shared beds with several other men during his life. Amongst these was an army officer, ], assigned to Lincoln's bodyguard in ]. Several sources characterize the relationship between the two as intimate, and it was the subject of gossip in ] at the time. They shared a bed during the absences of Lincoln's wife, until Derickson was promoted in ]. Again, some biographers have interpreted this as a sexual affair. Lincoln's stepmother is also known to have penned in her journal that Lincoln ""never took much interest in the girls". A recent study has also pointed to ] themes in ] written by Lincoln: | ||
| *:I will tell you a Joke about Jewel and Mary | *:I will tell you a Joke about Jewel and Mary | ||
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| *:And that never Can serve for me | *:And that never Can serve for me | ||
| This ] about Lincoln's sexuality is explored in detail in a number of works, most recently in |
This ] about Lincoln's sexuality is explored in detail in a number of works, most recently in soon-to-be-released book ''The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln'' by ] (ISBN 0743266390). ] disputes the findings, but Jean H. Baker, a student of David Herbert Donald and author of ''Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography'' (ISBN 0393305864) wrote the introduction to Tripp's book and supports Tripp's claims. Michael B. Chesson, professor at the ] and another student of David Herbert Donald wrote the afterward and also supports the book's thesis. | ||
| C. A. Tripp began the book with Philip Nobile, but they had a falling out. The ] quotes Mr. Nobile saying "Tripp's book is a fraud" but |
C. A. Tripp began the book with Philip Nobile, but they had a falling out. The ] quotes Mr. Nobile saying "Tripp's book is a fraud", but so far has provided no details. | ||
| Critics of the hypothesis that Lincoln was gay note that Lincoln married and had four children. They claim |
Critics of the hypothesis that Lincoln was gay note that Lincoln married and had four children. They claim Lincoln as a young man displayed heterosexual behavior. Lincoln scholar, Douglas Wilson, in his book entitled "Honor's Voice: The Transformation of Abraham Lincoln," notes the following: according to James Short, a friend of Lincoln's from his New Salem days, Lincoln used to enjoy telling this story about himself: "Once when Mr L was surveying, he was put to bed in the same room with two girls, the head of his bed being next to the foot of the girls' bed. In the night he commenced tickling the feet of one of the girls with his fingers. As she seemed to enjoy it as much as he did he then tickled a little higher up; and as he would tickle higher the girl would shove down lower and the higher he tickled the lower she moved. Mr L would tell the story with evident enjoyment. He never told how the thing ended." | ||
| It is unlikely this hypothesis will ever be either confirmed or defeated (no matter how much evidence is accumulated on either side) and will likely remain an issue of interest and contention as long as Lincoln's name is remembered. | It is unlikely this hypothesis will ever be either confirmed or defeated (no matter how much evidence is accumulated on either side) and will likely remain an issue of interest and contention as long as Lincoln's name is remembered. | ||
Revision as of 18:44, 30 December 2004
There is debate about the possibility that Abraham Lincoln may have been gay or bisexual.
Abraham Lincoln is known to have lived for four years with Joshua Speed, when both men were in their twenties. They shared a bed during these years and developed a friendship that would last until their deaths. A number of biographers, beginning with Carl Sandburg in 1926, have suggested or implied that this relationship was sexual, though others have argued that Lincoln and Speed shared a bed because of their financial circumstances, and that at the time it was not unusual for two men to share a bed - indeed, that Lincoln was open about the fact that they had shared a bed in seen by some historians as an indication that their relationship was in no way romantic.
Lincoln meet Speed in Springfield, Illinois in 1837. When Speed left Lincoln and returned to his native Kentucky in 1841, on the eve of Lincoln's marriage to Mary Todd, Lincoln is believed to have suffered something approaching clinical depression. Despite having some political differences over slavery, Lincoln and Speed corresponded for the rest of their lives and Lincoln appointed Joshua's brother, James Speed, to his cabinet as Attorney General.
Lincoln shared beds with several other men during his life. Amongst these was an army officer, David Derickson, assigned to Lincoln's bodyguard in 1862. Several sources characterize the relationship between the two as intimate, and it was the subject of gossip in Washington at the time. They shared a bed during the absences of Lincoln's wife, until Derickson was promoted in 1863. Again, some biographers have interpreted this as a sexual affair. Lincoln's stepmother is also known to have penned in her journal that Lincoln ""never took much interest in the girls". A recent study has also pointed to gay marriage themes in poetry written by Lincoln:
- I will tell you a Joke about Jewel and Mary
- It is neither a Joke nor a Story
- For Rubin and Charles has married two girls
- But Billy has married a boy
- The girlies he had tried on every Side
- But none could he get to agree
- All was in vain he went home again
- And since that is married to Natty
- So Billy and Natty agreed very well
- And mama's well pleased at the match
- The egg it is laid but Natty's afraid
- The Shell is So Soft that it never will hatch
- But Betsy she said you Cursed bald head
- My Suitor you never Can be
- Beside your low crotch proclaims you a botch
- And that never Can serve for me
This hypothesis about Lincoln's sexuality is explored in detail in a number of works, most recently in soon-to-be-released book The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln by C. A. Tripp (ISBN 0743266390). David Herbert Donald disputes the findings, but Jean H. Baker, a student of David Herbert Donald and author of Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography (ISBN 0393305864) wrote the introduction to Tripp's book and supports Tripp's claims. Michael B. Chesson, professor at the University of Massachusetts and another student of David Herbert Donald wrote the afterward and also supports the book's thesis.
C. A. Tripp began the book with Philip Nobile, but they had a falling out. The N.Y. Times quotes Mr. Nobile saying "Tripp's book is a fraud", but so far has provided no details.
Critics of the hypothesis that Lincoln was gay note that Lincoln married and had four children. They claim Lincoln as a young man displayed heterosexual behavior. Lincoln scholar, Douglas Wilson, in his book entitled "Honor's Voice: The Transformation of Abraham Lincoln," notes the following: according to James Short, a friend of Lincoln's from his New Salem days, Lincoln used to enjoy telling this story about himself: "Once when Mr L was surveying, he was put to bed in the same room with two girls, the head of his bed being next to the foot of the girls' bed. In the night he commenced tickling the feet of one of the girls with his fingers. As she seemed to enjoy it as much as he did he then tickled a little higher up; and as he would tickle higher the girl would shove down lower and the higher he tickled the lower she moved. Mr L would tell the story with evident enjoyment. He never told how the thing ended."
It is unlikely this hypothesis will ever be either confirmed or defeated (no matter how much evidence is accumulated on either side) and will likely remain an issue of interest and contention as long as Lincoln's name is remembered.
External Links
Book Questions Abraham Lincoln's Sexuality - Discovery Channel
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