In this engaging discussion, historian John Gilbert McCurdy dives into the trials of Robert Newburgh, a British army chaplain accused of homosexual relations in colonial America during a time of revolution. He examines how attitudes toward sexuality and liberty were evolving and becoming intertwined with political and moral anxieties. By highlighting Newburgh's flamboyant identity and the resulting societal backlash, McCurdy reveals the complexities of masculinity and loyalty within a military context, illustrating the rich tapestry of personal freedoms struggling against the norms of the era.
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Newburgh's Arrival
Robert Newburgh, an Irish clergyman, joined the British Army in 1772.
He arrived in Philadelphia in 1773 to serve as chaplain for the 18th Regiment of Foot.
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Barracks Life and Suspicions
The 18th Regiment barracks housed many men, fostering rumors about Newburgh.
Suspicions arose due to Newburgh's desire for a room near enlisted men and the outhouse.
insights INSIGHT
Discovery of the Trials
McCurdy discovered Newburgh's trial transcripts while researching another book.
These transcripts revealed accusations against Newburgh for a past sexual act.
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Homosexuality, the American Revolution, and the Trials of Robert Newburgh
John Gilbert McCurdy
John Gilbert McCurdy's "Vicious and Immoral" delves into the 1774 trials of Robert Newburgh, a British army chaplain accused of sodomy. The book explores the intersection of sexuality, liberty, and political upheaval in pre-revolutionary America. It examines how Newburgh's case became a focal point for anxieties about moral and political disorder, revealing the complexities of societal attitudes towards homosexuality during this period. McCurdy's work sheds light on the evolving understanding of individual rights and the limitations of societal norms in the face of revolutionary change. The book uses primary sources to reconstruct the events and context surrounding Newburgh's trials, offering a nuanced perspective on a pivotal moment in history. It challenges simplistic narratives and encourages a deeper understanding of the historical context.
In 1774, as Britain’s colonies in America teetered on the brink of revolution, one regiment was torn apart by the trials of a British army chaplain – Robert Newburgh – who was accused of having sex with another man. In this episode, John Gilbert McCurdy examines evolving attitudes to sexuality and liberty in the colonies on the eve of revolutionary war, and explores how Newburgh's trials became a flashpoint for wider fears of moral and political disorder.
(Ad) John Gilbert McCurdy is the author of Vicious and Immoral: Homosexuality, the American Revolution, and the Trials of Robert Newburgh (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vicious-Immoral-Homosexuality-American-Revolution/dp/142144853X/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.
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