Re: The Perl Crackpot Index

[jonadab]

Isaac Newton wasn't exactly celibate. He was gay.

Celibate people are very frequently (I would even suggest usually) accused of being gay. I mean, if he doesn't run after women, it must be because he's secretly lusting after the men, right? I think the main reason for this is that most people just can't imagine that someone would really prefer to be alone. But believe me, there are those of us who really prefer, strongly prefer, to be alone.

[tilly]

I'm perfectly aware that there are people who truly are celibate. However my comment is based on a biography that I read recently, The Last Sorcerer, which identified 2 men who Newton was intimate with over an extended period of time who are suspected to be his lovers. (At least by that author.)

As I admitted in response to adrianh, my impression is that this biographer is fairly highly regarded, but I don't know how widely accepted his beliefs are.