The Trouble with Sumner Welles: Sexuality, Race, and the Limits of Mythmaking in Queer History

Sumner Welles occupies a queer place in American history. Despite his prominence, reputation among diplomatic historians has been overshadowed by the sex scandal that occasioned demise. Conversely, he attracted cursory attention from scholars of history sexuality. This article examines historiographic dialectic. By analyzing literature about Welles, conducting close reading sources catalogued Welles's sexuality, and applying an intersectional lens to ended career, this seeks redress misunderstandings omissions Welles. Additionally, explores ethical questions must contend with when historical figures.