Eunuch Hall of Fame

[NaturalEunuch]

If there was a Eunuch Hall of Fame, who would be in it?

Categories could include modern, historical, a special EA category, and non-eunuch.

To get it started, here are some of the inductees I'd select:

MODERN ERA EUNUCHS:
Dr. Richard J Wassersug (researcher, author)

HISTORICAL EUNUCHS:
Admiral Zheng He (famous explorer, early Ming dynasty)
Alessandro Moreschi (the last Castrato, 1858-1922)
Sun Yaoting (the last Imperial eunuch, 1902-1996)
"Boston" Corbett (the man who shot the man who shot Abraham Lincoln, 1832-1896)
Bagoas (Alexander the Great’s young lover, 4th Century BC)
Narses (Emporer Justinian I's general and administrator, c. 478-573/574) (Read his story by Pueros on the Fiction Archive)
Wei Zhongxian (notorious palace eunuch, 1568-1627)

SPECIAL EA AWARD:
Bboy, Talula, Jesus, Kristoff, Paulo, LoseThem

NON-EUNUCH CATEGORY:
George Carter Stent (author of Chinese Eunuchs, 1877)
Dr. Thomas W Johnson (researcher, author)

POSSIBLE EUNUCHS:
Saint Patrick (Catholic Saint, 386-461 AD) (Read his story by Pueros on the Fiction Archive)

[Sakebigoe]

I nominate Boston Corbett for historical eunuchs. He's most well known for being the soldier who killed John Wilkes Booth. He also famously castrated himself after according to him being tempted by sexual urges in 1858 using a pair scissors he then ate a meal and attended a prayer meeting before seeking medical attention. He was pretty clearly not the most mentally stable person but he lived a fascinating life.

[NaturalEunuch]

I nominate Boston Corbett for historical eunuchs. He's most well known for being the soldier who killed John Wilkes Booth. He also famously castrated himself after according to him being tempted by sexual urges in 1858 using a pair scissors he then ate a meal and attended a prayer meeting before seeking medical attention. He was pretty clearly not the most mentally stable person but he lived a fascinating life.

That's a good one. Added to the main list.

[WheelyFixed]

We might also have a section for "Maybe" Eunuchs in history - Immediately thinking of our favorite Irish Saint (See the March Story thread) I have looked at some of the historical source material myself, and also swapped e-mails w/ JesusA and the author about the question, and essentially it's an open question - there is no definite historical evidence either way. However Pueros definitely believes he was, and the fact 'erased' for political reasons....

It isn't really possible to tell 'saintly behavior' from 'eunuch' absent any other evidence, but the historical material suggests that it is definitely possible, and it offers a possible explanation for why he entered the church when he normally would have been inheriting a local ruler position...

WheelyFixed

[TheRagingEunuch]

I had often heard the "Boston" was a Eunuch, but wasn't certain that that the story was true. Thanks for elaborating. Nice to know that I am not the only Eunuch who once wore a uniform in modern times.

[Pueros]

Hi all!

Sadly now quite a few years ago, I wrote a true historical biography for eunuch.org about a certain eunuch. It was titled "BYZANTINES IV : MALLEUS GOTHORUM", but I haven't yet checked whether it's still available to read within the archives at this great new website.

What I am sure is that I defy anyone to name a eunuch who had a more successful professional life!

To add further to this interesting debate, I'll also provide my personal opinion of the top eunuchs 2-5 in due course, after I have pondered this issue more closely. Many of these people were true heroes, so they deserve such careful & respectful consideration!

Best regards to all!

PUEROS

[NaturalEunuch]

Hi Pueros,

We don't have very many of the eunuch.org forum posts. If you still have a copy of the "BYZANTINES IV: MALLEUS GOTHORUM" article, please post it here. I'm sure everyone will enjoy it.

Also, I'm looking forward to your take on Hall of Fame eunuchs.

[WheelyFixed]

Just checked - it was posted in the EunuchWorld part of EAv2, not the main forums, but unfortunately it has a "Minor" tag, so not visible in the current FA. Not sure if it can be edited to make it comply w/ the current rule or not...

WheelyFixed

[Pueros]

Hi All!

As we await posting of a revised ‘Malleus Gothorum’, revealing my choice of most successful eunuch in history, I now nominate my number two……..Bagoas, Alexander the Great’s young lover.

Bagoas was instrumental in changing Alexander’s attitude to the Persia he had conquered. Before the King met the young eunuch, his attitude to the country and the population was very hostile, wanting vengeance for past wars launched against Greece by Darius I and Xerxes I and the later subjugation of Greek-populated territories. He had even burnt to cinders the beautiful ceremonial capital, Persepolis, which was a rather stupid action because he had already captured the place.

After meeting Bagoas, though, Alexander’s attitude changed considerably. He began appointing Persians to positions of importance, and even started to adopt certain local ways, including in following certain customs and in dress, to the dislike of some of his fellow Greeks. However, many others followed him, assimilating.

The result was the quiet absorption of the Persian Empire into, after Alexander’s untimely early death, prosperous and long-lasting Greek-ruled states.

For example, the Seleucid Empire, founded by one the great king’s generals, which controlled lands from the Aegean Sea to what is now Afghanistan, and included Persia, was in existence for 250 years.

Another general, and possible bastard half-brother to Alexander, Ptolemy, set up a Greek dynasty that ruled Egypt for even longer (see ‘The Last Of The Pharaohs’ by me).

Bagoas, for his influence on Alexander and the effect that had, is therefore my number two!

I would have produced a story about Bagaos but a great one had already long ago been published in “The Persian Boy” by Mary Renault, part of her superb “Alexander Trilogy”, all three books being highly recommended reading!

What is not recommended is Oliver Stone’s ridiculous film ‘Alexander’, which is full of historical inaccuracies. For example, Hephaestion, Alexander’s boyhood lover, is depicted with a beard. The great king, going against Greek custom, disliked such facial hair and so all of his closest friends always shaved their faces. For perhaps obvious legal reasons, Bagoas is also depicted as older than he actually was at the time in real life.

My numbers 3-5 to follow........

Regards to all,

PUEROS

[dandelion]

Allow me to add to the list with one of the most infamous eunuchs in Chinese history. One disclaimer to add though, is that eunuchs were mostly looked down upon by scholar-bureaucrats in ancient China, so very often their stories were recorded with prejudice.

Wei Zhongxian (魏忠賢) (1568 – December 12, 1627) was a Chinese court eunuch who is considered the most notorious eunuch in Chinese history. Born as Wei Si (魏四) (Wei "number 4") in Suning County, he was illiterate and reportedly castrated himself at age 21 to escape gambling debts[1][4].

After entering imperial service, Wei adopted the name Li Jinzhong (李進忠) and gradually gained favor in the Forbidden City. His rise to power began when he served Lady Wang and her son Zhu Youjiao (朱由校), who would later become the Tianqi Emperor (天啟帝) [1][4]. Wei formed a close relationship with both the future emperor and his wet nurse, Madame Ke, effectively becoming the young prince's de facto father figure[1][5].

When Zhu Youjiao ascended the throne as the Tianqi Emperor in 1620, Wei's influence grew dramatically. The 15-year-old emperor, who was more interested in carpentry than governance, allowed Wei to handle state affairs[1][5]. By 1624, Wei had received what amounted to a power of attorney from the emperor and effectively became the de facto ruler of China[5].

During his reign of power (1624-1627), Wei ruthlessly exploited his position by:
- Controlling the Eastern Depot (東廠), a secret police force of over one thousand officers[1]
- Training and arming up to ten thousand eunuchs[3]
- Persecuting his political enemies, particularly the reform-minded Donglin faction (東林黨)[1][5]
- Having hundreds of officials executed or removed from office[4]
- Appointing his relatives and supporters to high positions[1]

Wei's downfall came with the death of the Tianqi Emperor in 1627. When Zhu Youjian (朱由檢) (the Chongzhen Emperor (崇禎帝), the last emperor of the Ming dynasty) took the throne, he initially allowed Wei to remain in service but eventually exiled him following numerous complaints[1][4]. While traveling to his place of exile, Wei learned he was to be arrested and committed suicide by hanging himself on December 13, 1627[1].

After his death, the Chongzhen Emperor ordered severe punishment: Wei's corpse was dismembered and displayed in his native village, 161 of his associates were punished, and 24 were executed. Madame Ke was beaten to death shortly after Wei's suicide[1]. Wei Zhongxian's legacy in Chinese history is that of a corrupt and power-hungry eunuch who abused imperial authority for personal gain[1][4].

Sources
[1] Wei Zhongxian - Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wei_Zhongxian
[2] The Potent Eunuch: The Story of Wei Zhongxian - YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skrYYEO9eRY
[3] The Potent Eunuch: The Story of Wei Zhongxian https://read.dukeupress.edu/jclc/articl ... -Zhongxian
[4] Wei Zhongxian: When China Yielded to the Terrifying Power of a ... https://www.ancient-origins.net/history ... uch-008245
[5] Wei Zhongxian | Ming Dynasty, Eunuch, Grand Secretary | Britannica https://www.britannica.com/biography/Wei-Zhongxian
[6] The Potent Eunuch: The Story of Wei Zhongxian https://read.dukeupress.edu/jclc/articl ... -Zhongxian
[7] Wei Zhongxian: When China Yielded to the Terrifying Power of a ... https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryHyenas/ ... ed_to_the/
[8] Eunuchs popularized in 'Game of Thrones' have historical parallels ... https://news.ku.edu/news/article/2014/0 ... rial-china
[9] whats the origin of Wei Zhong xian : r/HistoryHyenas - Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/HistoryHyenas/ ... hong_xian/
[10] Wei Zhongxian 魏忠賢(www.chinaknowledge.de) http://www.chinaknowledge.de/History/Mi ... gxian.html
[11] [PDF] The Potent Eunuch - Keith McMahon https://kmcmahon.ku.edu/pdf/McMahon-The ... Eunuch.pdf
[12] 中国经典名著：明珠缘(繁体版)（Chinese Classics:Ming Dynasty ... https://ocln.overdrive.com/ocln-ventres ... ia/1421637
[13] Wei Zhongxian Biography - Pantheon World https://pantheon.world/profile/person/Wei_Zhongxian