Has anybody noticed the article in Nickudu's Files, titled "John Dawkins Remembers?" This is one of many men who had hunted with Taylor. John Dawkins had him over to his home in Australia for about a year. He recounts that Taylor was definitely not GAY. Pondoro may have gone native as he had several native wives but then again, it seems that white settlers and officials just didn't like him. Any rumor can be started about somebody when that person is not well-liked.
I like to think he wasn't queer, regardless of what Capstick, Tony Marsh, or others said, but who knows for sure now. The worst part is dying a pauper in London (or Kansas ).
I remember being totally shocked when I read John Taylor was gay, being a hero of mine for years. All of the posts in this thread are very good and spot on. Whether or not Taylor was gay will probably never be known for sure and if he was, it doesnt detract from his writings, skill and knowledge.
It seems to me of late, someone is always trying to trash a well known or historic person after they are deceased--for sport or money I guess. The new movie "Alamo" Ive read smears all of the major heros and figures of that event as a recent example. Mud has been slung at the founding fathers in the last few years as well. I surmise the dead make easy targets.
It's very sad.
Posts: 119 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 23 December 2003
I suspect that Taylor was indeed gay, and I also suspect that he didn't always write the truth, but no matter. He lived an incredible, free life of high adventure -- one that comes to darn few men -- during a fabulous era, and fortunately he was also great writer, and he left behind a superb, written legacy that we can enjoy today.
I think John Taylor's sexual orientation is irrelevant. He led a life we can only dream about and was able to put it on paper in a very literate manner. I was pretty disappointed in Capstick's book on Taylor. I don't think he needed to dwell on what got Taylor through the night.
It absolutely was a shame that a guy with so much talent had to spend the last years of his life in such a miserable fashion. It would have been nice to know someone like Taylor could have retired comfortably.
Posts: 13119 | Location: LAS VEGAS, NV USA | Registered: 04 August 2002
Mark, Amen to that. I have always thought he was the consumate hunter and bush ballistician. I've read all his stuff and have learned a lot from his writings. It is a pity that he died a pauper and without friends around in his declining years.
If he were gay would not he have written about his blade?
Two Scots on a hill flipping their kilts up and mooning the English. One is gay, one is not. What are their thoughts? Which carries the mallet, which the pike?
You would have to read his last and least known book, "Shadows of Shame" to get to that part.
It only matters in the context that he was deported from Malawi to England because of the rumours. Whether they are true or not has no meaning anymore.
How many people beside me fell in love with Double Rifles because of Taylor's books?
Posts: 6277 | Location: Not Likely, but close. | Registered: 12 August 2002
Had I the resources, I'd make a movie of the life and times of John Taylor. Anti's be damned. First choice for the lead role would be Johnny Depp. If anyone's got what it takes to make this role work in these times, it's him.
You are right on. It is fashionable these days to re-write or make up history, to serve your own political correctness.
I am reminded of that most everyday listening to the PC crap coming out of the 911 committee hearings. Those guys are really a bunch of self-righteous JO's with perfect 20/20 hindsight.
What a croc, its common knowledge that Taylor was gay, the he was also the toughest man in Africa, and would rather get drunk and fight than anything else, he was a bloody rap scallion....
He was also one of the best authors around and very knowledgable about firearms...no big secret or rumor, just a simple fact and nothing is going to change that..His contribution to the hunting society is incomparable and some of the best works ever...His sexual behavior sucks!!
Posts: 42332 | Location: Twin Falls, Idaho | Registered: 04 June 2000
Quote: The lifestyle of the remittance men and women who lived in east Africa lived a very decadent lifetyle.
Well, it was a Happy Valley. Blessed were those days.
The following link (an article in the Kenyan "Sunday Nation"'s lifestyle magazine) is very worthwhile following. Deals with this lifestyle and how it was seen by the fellow Africans; the writer actually managed to find still a number of oldtimers and interview them.
I visited this thread because of the title. Thought I'd find it educational and informative.
After my experiences of the past year, well... I just think there are more substantial things to talk about than where a guy prefers to dip his wick. Does it matter? Does it REALLY matter?
The guy could hunt and he could write... which is enough to suit me.
Just my thoughts. Don't mind me.
Russ
Posts: 2982 | Location: Silvis, IL | Registered: 12 May 2001
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