John de Verdion
John de Verdion | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1744 Leipzig or Berlin, Germany |
| Died | 15 July 1802 |
| Occupation(s) | Bookseller, language tutor, translator |
| Known for | Language teaching to Edward Gibbon and others; antiquarian book dealing |
John de Verdion (originally named Theodora Grahn; 1744 – 15 July 1802) was a bookseller, language tutor, and translator born in Germany. The sole offspring of an architect, he initially worked as an exchange broker during the Seven Years' War. In his twenties, he began presenting himself as a man in Bayreuth, where he served as secretary to the educational reformer Johann Bernhard Basedow. Due to doubts about his gender, he was dismissed, and following an attack in which his clothing was forcibly removed, he moved to London in 1770.
Upon arriving in London, he took the name Dr John de Verdion and pursued careers as a translator and language teacher, fluent in German, French, and Italian. Recognizable by his trademark attire—a bag wig, cocked hat, and umbrella—he engaged in purchasing antiquarian books at auctions for resale. A regular visitor to Furnival's Inn, he was also noted for his robust appetite.
Among his pupils were notable figures such as Edward Gibbon, William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland, and a Prussian ambassador. de Verdion is said to have been acquainted with Madame Schwellenberg and was granted access to the court at St James's Palace and Queen Charlotte's drawing room, often appearing fully costumed with an elegant sword.
de Verdion passed away in July 1802 at his residence in Hatton Garden after suffering a fall down the stairs.
Early life
Born as Theodora Grahn in the early 1740s, either in Leipzig or Berlin, she was the only child of an architect and Loysa Sophia (née Kiesewetter). Following the death of her parents, she relocated to Berlin to live with her aunt, where she acquired skills in mathematics along with French, English, and Italian.
Exchange broker
In 1758, de Verdion inherited 1000 reichsthalers from her aunt. Afterward, she entered the profession of exchange broker—a profitable occupation during the Seven Years' War. She regularly visited various counting houses throughout the city and managed to double her initial capital by the conclusion of the war in 1763.
Employment with Johann Bernhard Basedow
Around 1763, de Verdion moved to Bayreuth and by 1768 had adopted the identity of Baron John de Verdion, dressing as a huntsman. In 1769, he took on roles as amanuensis and secretary for the educational reform advocate Johann Bernhard Basedow. However, rumors concerning his gender sparked scandal leading to his dismissal. In 1770, after being invited to an inn by merchants, he suffered an assault during which his biological sex was forcibly disclosed.
Life in London
In 1770, de Verdion settled in London under the name Dr John de Verdion. He specialized in language instruction, translation services, and dealing in antiquarian books. His trade card preserved by the British Library identifies him as Mr de Verdion. He purchased extensive collections of rare books at auctions and resold them to local booksellers, gaining recognition for his knowledge of English literature. Additionally, he amassed collections of foreign silver and gold coins and medals.
Appearance
de Verdion was consistently seen in men's attire when in public, often wearing a bag wig paired with a broad cocked hat. He habitually carried both a cane and an umbrella regardless of the weather conditions, with books tucked into the pockets of his coat. His unique look became widely recognized throughout London, earning him the reputation of being the "jest of the company."
Furnival's Inn
A regular visitor to Furnival's Inn, de Verdion was known for his heavy drinking and hearty appetite, reportedly consuming up to two bottles of wine or three pounds of meat during a single meal. On one occasion, he reportedly consumed eighteen eggs accompanied by a substantial amount of bacon in one sitting.
Because of doubts cast on his gender, de Verdion seldom traveled alone when returning home. Following an evening of heavy drinking, two fellow patrons escorted him back and, driven by curiosity, undressed him. The following day, he asked the innkeeper to prevent similar intrusions. Additionally, he faced accusations from other guests who suspected him of either cross-dressing or theft.
Students and patrons
de Verdion provided language instruction to several prominent individuals, including teaching German to Edward Gibbon, the author of The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire. He also taught English to the Prussian ambassador and instructed German to William Cavendish-Bentinck, 3rd Duke of Portland. A follower of John Wesley, de Verdion developed influential social connections.
He became acquainted with Madame Schwellenberg, a lady-in-waiting to Queen Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Likely through her support, de Verdion gained entry to court functions at St James's Palace, attending the queen’s drawing room dressed in full court regalia complete with an elegant sword.
Death and will
In 1802, de Verdion experienced a fall that injured his chest. Despite receiving medical attention from a German physician living nearby, his health deteriorated, resulting in dropsy. He passed away on 15 July 1802 at his residence on Upper Charles Street in Hatton Garden due to "cancer in the breast" and was interred at St Andrew Holborn on Gray's Inn Lane. His coffin plate was originally inscribed "John de Verdion" before being altered to read "Miss de Verdion."
His will, dated 8 June 1802, identified him as "John de Verdion otherwise Theodoria de Verdion, Master of Languages of Upper Charles Street Hatton Garden." Expressing concern about premature burial, he requested that his body remain unburied for eight days after death. The only beneficiary named was Mr Denner, proprietor of a coffee house at Furnival's Inn, to whom he owed £40. His belongings—primarily clothing—were insufficient to settle this debt; anticipated valuables such as gold and silver coins and his sword were missing.
Biographical accounts
Following his death, de Verdion became noted as an eccentric figure in literature about unusual personalities. Early narratives portrayed him as a woman disguised as a man. One of the earliest biographies appeared in the 1804 Kirby's Wonderful and Scientific Museum; subsequent publications like the 1852 The Lives and Portraits of Curious and Odd Characters referred to him as Chevalier John Theodora de Verdion. He was depicted as eccentric with an appearance described as "extremely grotesque."
Contemporary gender studies have occasionally categorized de Verdion as transsexual; however, it remains uncertain whether he identified personally as male or adopted a male persona strategically within a society that restricted opportunities for women.
See also
External links
- Smith, Emma May (14 June 2015). "John de Verdion: A Life Story". Medium.