Robert Thistlethwayte

Robert Thistlethwayte (1690–1744) was an Anglican clergyman and Warden of Wadham College, Oxford.

In 1737 Thistlethwayte 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. The following limerick possibly also refers to Thistlethwayte.


 * 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:


 * 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.