History:
He was extremely wealthy and committed to the aristocracy, British author and connoisseur. He was excluded from the society by the English society for the last sixty years of his life because of his homosexuality.
He fell in love with the Han William Courtenay, later 3rd Viscount and 9th Earl of Devon. At ten years old, he was regarded as one of the most beautiful boys in England, born out by paintings of him. Beckford and Courtnay saw each other frequently either at fonthill or at Powderham Castle in Devon, Courtnay’s home for nearly six peaceful years. In 1784, a visitor to Powderham claimed to have heard some “strange goings on” in Courtnay’s bedroom from Beckford and Courtnay himself.
King George III, who personally wished that Beckford could have been hanged, dismissed Beckford's application as a aristocrat. Beckford and Courtenay were forced to separate to avoid further reprisal. Beckford finally went abroad, where he remained for the next ten years, living most of life in Portugal. He was followed by an entourage so magnificent that during his travels he was often mistaken for the Emperor of Austria.
As for Courtenay, he became known as Lord Devon, a name that he inherited after his father’s death.
He fell in love with the Han William Courtenay, later 3rd Viscount and 9th Earl of Devon. At ten years old, he was regarded as one of the most beautiful boys in England, born out by paintings of him. Beckford and Courtnay saw each other frequently either at fonthill or at Powderham Castle in Devon, Courtnay’s home for nearly six peaceful years. In 1784, a visitor to Powderham claimed to have heard some “strange goings on” in Courtnay’s bedroom from Beckford and Courtnay himself.
King George III, who personally wished that Beckford could have been hanged, dismissed Beckford's application as a aristocrat. Beckford and Courtenay were forced to separate to avoid further reprisal. Beckford finally went abroad, where he remained for the next ten years, living most of life in Portugal. He was followed by an entourage so magnificent that during his travels he was often mistaken for the Emperor of Austria.
As for Courtenay, he became known as Lord Devon, a name that he inherited after his father’s death.