A lot of people, even after having studied Art or Literature for many years, don’t know or never have known the sexual orientation of many of their favorite authors and artists.That’s due to the fact that not only this information is nowhere to be found in books, but also because their heterosexuality was taken for granted.But, what many of you might not know, it’s that we have to thank a lot of homosexual figures, if we now have some of the most important literary masterpieces, monuments or even scientific discoveries.Today I’d like to introduce a list of 10 well-known LGBT historical figures (that were not necessarily out of the closet), and that I am sure you had no idea had this sexual orientation.
1. ANACREON:
Anacreon was an ancient Greek poet (V century B. C), (involuntary) pioneer of a poetic style inspired by him and born during the Rococo period.
Also known as the symposium’s poet (banquets’), is always portrayed with his lira. He sang the pleasures of love and passion, giving birth to the Anacreontic poetry.
Among his verses, we can read about his love for various men.
2. BRUNETTO LATINI:
Latini was an Italian writer, poet, politician, mainly famous for writing the first encyclopedias in French: Li Livres dou trèsor. Because of his sexual orientation, Dante placed Latini in Hell, in his Divine Comedy.
3. LORD BYRON:
George Gordon Lord Byron was an English romantic poet, he (who?) was forced into exile for being gay. He wrote, among others, The Corsair and The Two Foscari, and he’s mainly famous for creating the figure of the Byronic Hero. He built tight relationships with various men.
4. JOHANN JOACHIM WINCKELMANN:
Famous German Art historian, he was one of the first Germans who had been identified as homosexual. He was very passionate about Greek classics and medical science, and worked as a deputy headmaster of a gymnasium and as a private teacher. It is claimed by some that he had a male lover among his students, with whom he had such a big passion, that the two began living together.
5. HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN:
Could The Little Mermaid’s father be straight? Obviously not.
Andersen, born in 1805 in Copenhagen, dedicated his famous masterpiece to a forbidden love for a man.
Like the poor little mermaid, who could not reveal her love for Prince Eric, also Andersen never had the possibility to reveal his homosexuality. Many of the information, regarding his homosexuality, have been obtained thanks to the correspondence between Andersen himself and the Grand Duke of Weimar.
6. VIRGINIA WOOLF:
Virginia Woolf, born in 1882, was and still is a famous English author, as well as one of the most important feminist representatives of the last century.
She had a well-know relationship with another English writer and poet, named Vita Scoville-West, to whom she dedicated Orlando (1928)
7. FRIDA KAHLO:
Famous for her artistic style which has influenced and thrilled thousands of fans all around the world, and for being a feminist role model, Frida Kahlo was a openly bisexual woman. Very famous, her self-portrait from 1926
8. MICHEL FOUCAULT:
Famous French philosopher, Foucault struggled with his homosexuality, looking for treatment during his teen’s and attempting suicide more than once. Despite all this, during the ’70, when his success was at its highest peak, Michel Foucault became a true representative for the gay movement.
9. TRUMAN CAPOTE:
Truman Capote was an American writer, actor, journalist and screenwriter, author of the famous novella Breakfast at Tiffany’s. “He was also flamboyant and openly gay at a time when homosexuality was not even mentioned in polite society.”
10. ALAN TURING:
Widely known as the father of the first computer, he played an important role in II World War. He committed suicide, tired and worn out due to the hormone treatment. (to “cure” his homosexuality)
I kindly recommend The Imitation Game, a film based on Turing’s life, interpreted by Benedict Cumberbatch and nominated at the latest Oscars.
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