William R. King: The First Gay Vice President?

The Vice Presidential portrait of William R. King, the 13th Vice President and potentially the first gay one

The 13th Vice President, serving under Franklin Pierce, William R. King had an unusually close relationship with future president James Buchanan, with both men living together and being referred to as the other’s “better half”.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, many modern historians believe that the two men – both lifelong bachelors – were in fact lovers. And it’s not just modern historians that thought that… so did many contemporary political rivals.

Early Life

A Start in Politics

National Politics

Vice President

Death & Legacy

A Gay Vice President?