I've been tracking down the sources for this
claim, and I've found three so far. The first is a biography by Christopher
Hollis, published in 1933, entitled simply Erasmus. This is an
antagonistic biography -- the author is definitely a polemicist for the Roman
Catholic church. It paints a truly ugly picture of Erasmus, indicting him for
greed, deceitfulness, inconstancy, selfishness, and all manner of other human
failings. Hollis definitely insinuates that Erasmus was gay: "...he found
young men extremely attractive....he had written... some very peculiar letters
to that fellow-monk Servatius...he addressed the young men in language of
excessive endearment and, as a consequence, before long won for himself the
reputation which those who indulge in such a habit must necessarily expect. In
particular, he expended affection on that young Thomas Grey." However, in
the final analysis, Hollis admits that the evidence just isn't there: "We
cannot say that Erasmus was guilty, but we can say that, if he had been guilty,
he would nevertheless have denied it."
I think it fair to dismiss Hollis'
insinuations as unsubstantiated polemic. A quick recitation of some quotes from
the book demonstrates just how poisonous his pen is: "Fortune and benefits
he considered as his right, and only complained against their goodness at not
being better." "Meanwhile fame had come to Erasmus, and with fame
what had previously been conceit burgeoned forth into a yet larger
arrogance." "Luther, poor man, was now quite mad and his violence
incredible."
The second source is Homosexuals in
History, by A.L.Rowse (1977). Rowse has excellent credentials as a
historian, and he plainly and clearly declares that Erasmus was gay.
Unfortunately, his discussion of the matter is breezy and informal, a good tale
well told -- but there's nothing whatever in the way of documentation or
support. Rowse makes assertions that, so far as I know, have no basis whatever
in the primary sources. He quotes no letters, presents no justifications, cites
no other works, and offers no bibliography. Basically, all we have here is
Rowse's personal opinion, offered in a take-it-or-leave-it fashion. Those who
want to believe it are welcome to do so. Those who are cursed with the
scepticism of the educated will find nothing here to sway their judgement.
A third source is Gay Men and Women Who
Enriched the World, by Tom Cowan. Dr. Cowan holds a doctorate in history
and so must also be granted a great deal more credence than I myself can claim.
And he certainly declares that Erasmus was indeed gay. Unfortunately, his work
suffers from exactly the same problem that discredits Rowse's book: there's
nothing in the way of support. He simply declares that Erasmus was gay and
expects you to take his word for it.