The National Trust ‘outs’ Norfolk squire as gay 48 years after his death

The National Trust has ‘outed’ a Norfolk squire as gay 48 years after his death claiming there is no need to conceal his sexuality any longer.

Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer who died in 1969 left his Jacobean ancestral home, Felbrigg Hall, to the nation after his brother died, and he knew he would have no heirs.

Although close friends were aware that Mr Wyndham Ketton-Cremer was gay, he did not choose to publicly disclose his sexual orientation, living largely in a time where it was still outlawed.

Now on the 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality, The National Trust has commissioned a film, narrated by Stephen Fry, which divulges his private life.

The film is part of The Trust’s Prejudice & Pride programme which seeks to highlight the previously hidden lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender inhabitants of its properties.

Professor Richard Sandell, of the University of Leicester, whose team was asked by The Trust to research Mr Wyndham Ketton-Cremer’s private life, admitted there were ethical issues of ‘outing’ someone who had chosen to conceal his sexuality in his lifetime. But he said it was important to ‘talk openly.’

“We discussed this extensively. I would strongly argue that we cannot perpetuate the values and attitudes of the past,” he said.

“You would only continue to conceal these truths if there was still a stigma attached to being gay.  

“It is important to people today that we talk openly – just as we do about the personal lives of people who were heterosexual.  

“With the case of Robert, the people we interviewed were clear that we weren’t outing him because amongst those who knew him, this was widely accepted.”

Mr Wyndham Ketton-Cremer, who was known as ‘Bunny’ to his friends was described as a shy, generous and gentle man, who spent many years restoring Felbrigg before bequeathing it to the nation.

Until now, visitors to Felbrigg were told only about his public life as a ‘bachelor squire.’ He was a magistrate and the High Sheriff of Norfolk, a celebrated biographer of Robert Walpole and Thomas Gray, and a much-loved local patron.

Stephen Fry, who narrates the new film, The Unfinished Portrait, said: “Official accounts of Robert’s life offer only a partial story and neglect to incorporate what was widely accepted by those who knew him. The truth is when researching Robert’s life we find many accounts that openly acknowledge his homosexuality. To be gay when he lived could mean prosecution.

"Some have asked why Prejudice & Pride is necessary – why the lives of people who challenged conventional ideas of gender and sexuality should be made public and celebrated in this way.  

“The answer is quite simple – to do anything less is to suggest that same-sex love and gender diversity is somehow wrong, and keeping these stories hidden only lets prejudice – past and present - go unchallenged.”

A spokeswoman for The National Trust added: “The aim here is to be more open about this in ways that reflect contemporary attitudes and highlight the stigma and challenges of being open in the past.”

The film will be launched online and available for visitors to see at Felbrigg Hall from Tuesday 25 July.