Issac Watts
From LGBT Archive
Isaac Watts(1674-1748). Born Southampton. Most well known as a hymn writer. There is no concrete evidence Watts was LGBT+ but it is a strong possibility. He closely befriended Thomas Gunston (who sadly died young, just as they were about to set up house together). Watts wrote an epic poem 'The Dacian Battle' which was praised by Doctor Samuel Johnson and which features two dead gay Ottoman princes. Thomas Wright's life of Isaac Watts mentions Watts's invitation to his lifelong friend Samuel Say to "share a bed". A hymn tune by Watts is played on the chimes of Southampton Civic Centre clock.
