Sexuality of Frederick the Great

Most modern scholars agree that Prussian King Frederick the Great (1712–1786) was primarily homosexual. However, the nature of his actual relationships remains a source of speculation. For instance, there is no consensus on the actual number of Frederick’s male lovers. Some researchers believe that he may have only lived out his same-sex love platonically. This latter point is contradicted by some statements by the king himself and by his contemporaries, Voltaire and Casanova (see below). Though he had an arranged marriage, Frederick produced no children and was succeeded by his nephew. His favoured courtiers were exclusively male, and his art collection celebrated homoeroticism. Persistent rumours connecting the king with homosexual activity circulated around Europe during his lifetime, but there is less surviving definitive evidence of any sexual relationships of his, homosexual or otherwise. However, in July 1750, the Prussian king teasingly wrote to his gay secretary and reader, Claude Étienne Darget: (‘My hemorrhoids affectionately greet your penis’), which strongly suggests that he was sexually involved with men. Furthermore, at an advanced age, the king advised his nephew in