Robert Thistlethwayte

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Robert Thistlethwayte (baptized December 16, 1690 – c. January, 1744) was a warden of Wadham College, Oxford and clergyman in the Church of England.^{[citation needed]}

In 1737 Thistlethwaite fled to Boulogne after being accused of making homosexual advances towards a student, William French, whose tutor John Swinton was also accused of homosexual practices. Satirical poetry was written about these events.^[1] The following limerick possibly also refers to Thistlethwayte.^[2]

There once was a Warden of Wadham

Who approved of the folkways of Sodom,

For a man might, he said,

Have a very poor head

But be a fine Fellow, at bottom.

Allegations of homosexual behaviour, which was considered scandalous at that time, and the College's decision to take out fire insurance combined to prompt the following verse:^{[citation needed]}

Well did the am'rous sone of Wadham

Insure their house 'gainst future flame;

They knew their crime, the crime of Sodom,

And judg'd their punishment the same.

[edit] References

1. ^ Norton, Rictor (2004-6-5). The State of Rome, 1739. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.
2. ^ Norton, Rictor (1998). Bawdy Limericks. Retrieved on 2006-12-24.