As Franchi grew older he became Beckford's confidant and agent, travelling to London and the Continent collecting paintings, objets d'art and books to fill his master's astonishing home, the gothic extravaganza of Fonthill Abbey in Wiltshire. In short order Franchi became Beckford's protégé, and Beckford brought 'the Portuguese orange' back with him to England in 1789. He spent much of his time in Lisbon, Portugal, where he met Gregorio Fellipe Franchi (1770≡828), a young, attractive and lively musician in the choir of the Patriarchal Seminary. The great art collector William Beckford (1760≡844), the wealthiest man in England, was forced to spend many years travelling abroad due a homosexual scandal involving William 'Kitty' Courtney in 1784, young son of the Earl of Devon.
Gay Love Letters through the Centuries: William Beckfordĭearest Impresario The Gay Love Letters of William Beckford Excerpts from My Dear Boy: Gay Love Letters through theĬenturies (1998), Edited by Rictor Norton Copyright © 1997, 1998 by Rictor Norton.
