America's First Gay President?

America's First Gay President?

Evidence suggests James Buchanan had relationship with another man

By Timothy Cwiek

Philadelphia Gay News
National Gay History Project

James Buchanan

More than 150 years before the United States elected Barack Obama as its first black president, the country most likely had its first gay president, James Buchanan.

Buchanan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, was the 15th president, and a lifelong bachelor. He served as president from 1857 to 1861, tumultuous years leading up to the Civil War.

Historian James W. Loewen has done extensive research into Buchanan's personal life, and he's convinced Buchanan was gay.

Loewen is the author of the book Lies Across America, which examines how historical sites inaccurately portray figures and events in America's past. "There is clear evidence that he was gay," Loewen said. "And since I haven't seen any evidence that he was heterosexual, I don't believe he was bisexual." According to Loewen, for several years Buchanan shared a residence with William Rufus King, a Democratic senator from Alabama, who went on to serve briefly as vice president.

Loewen said contemporary records indicate the two men were inseparable, and wags would refer to them as "the Siamese twins."

Loewen said Buchanan was "fairly open" about his relationship with King, causing some colleagues to view the men as a couple.

For example, Aaron Brown, a prominent Democrat, writing to Mrs. James K. Polk, referred to King as Buchanan's "better half," "his wife" and "Aunt Fancy ... rigged out in her best clothes."

In 1844, when King was appointed minister to France, he wrote Buchanan, "I am selfish enough to hope you will not be able to procure an associate who will cause you to feel no regret at our separation."

Loewen also said a letter Buchanan wrote to a friend after King went to France shows the depth of his feeling for King.

"I am now solitary and alone, having no companion in the house with me," Buchanan wrote. "I have gone a wooing to several gentlemen, but have not succeeded with any one of them. I feel that it is not good for man to be alone; and should not be astonished to find myself married to some old maid who can nurse me when I am sick provide good dinners for me when I am well, and not expect from me any very ardent or romantic affection."

In the late 1990s, Loewen visited Wheatland, the mansion in Lancaster, Pa., where Buchanan spent his later years.

Loewen said he asked a staffer at Wheatland if Buchanan was gay, and the reply was: "He most definitely was not."

Loewen said the staffer pointed to a portrait of Ann Coleman, the daughter of a wealthy iron maker, whom Buchanan was engaged to briefly 1819 — shortly before she committed suicide.

Loewen said Buchanan showed little interest in Coleman, appeared more interested in her fortune, and possibly contributed to her suicide due to his emotional detachment.

Patrick Clarke, director of Wheatland, said the staff now takes a neutral stance on Buchanan's sexual or affectional preference.

He said Ann Coleman's portrait no longer is displayed at Wheatland.

Loewen said many historians rate Buchanan as one of the worst U.S. presidents. Buchanan was part of the pro-slavery wing of the Democratic Party, and corruption plagued his administration.

But Loewen said those flaws shouldn't discourage members of the LGBT community from acknowledging Buchanan's status as a gay man.

"Lots of gay people have been exemplary," he said. "But we also have to acknowledge the failures. If we only admit that really great people are gay, what kind of history is that? We have to tell it like it was."

As a heterosexual man, Loewen said he has no hidden agenda in outing Buchanan. "I don't run around trying to find gay folks or black folks underneath every rock. But I'm not going to ignore clear evidence." -E

Timothy Cwiek has written articles for publications on topics such as the Lincoln assassination, the Kennedy family, the shootings at Kent State University and first ladies.