Q: Is it true that William Rufus King, who was the vice president of the U.S. in 1853, and James Buchanan, U.S. President from 1857-1861, lived together as a couple for 15 years? Is it also true that King was referred to by his comrades in the Senate, as "Miss Nancy," "The Queen of Alabama" and "Mr. Buchanan's wife?”
—Jeff Bashuk, Decatur
A: King and Buchanan lived together for 16 years and were "so inseparable" that they were known around Washington as "The Siamese Twins," Columbia University history professor and author David Eisenbach told Q&A on the News in an email. Eisenbach said King and Buchanan met as members of Congress in 1821. "Andrew Jackson called the flamboyant, fastidious King 'Aunt Fancy' and called Buchanan 'Miss Nancy,' " Eisenbach said. "Tennessee Gov. Aaron V. Brown referred to them as 'Buchanan and his wife' and 'Buchanan and his better half.' " He added that Buchanan "selflessly refused" the vice presidential nomination in 1852 in favor of King, who died a year later. "To this day, Buchanan remains the only (lifelong) unmarried president and King is the only unmarried vice president," said Eisenbach, who co-authored "One Nation Under Sex: How the Private Lives of Presidents, First Ladies and Their Lovers Changed the Course of American History." Many historians believe Buchanan was gay, Time reported last month.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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