Ex-President's X-rated letters raise eyebrows after 90 years

The letters reveal the nickname the former President had for that body part.

Ex-President's X-rated letters raise eyebrows after 90 years

" Wouldn’t you like to make the suspected occupant of the next room jealous of the joys he could not know, as we did in morning communion at Richmond?"

Warren G Harding was the 29th President of the United States, and he's most famous for his death after just two years in office.

Well, that's about to change - because his surprisingly erotic love letters to his mistress are about to be published, including the nickname he had for a certain part of his anatomy.

Jerry.

The Library of Congress is releasing Harding's letters to his mistress - his neighbour's wife, Carrie Fulton Phillips - on July 29 this year. And the sneak preview - covered with aplomb by comedian John Oliver on his show Last Week Tonight - reveals a saucier-than-expected side to the politician.

"I feel that there will never be any relief until I take a long, deep, wild draught on your lips and then bury my face on your pillowing breasts," Harding wrote, among wistful "fevered fondling" and "melting kisses."

The President's love letters, written between 1910 and 1920 show that sexual fantasy and impropriety in the halls of power are nothing new.

The letters themselves are the source of a long scandal, having been discovered by Mrs Phillips' lawyer after her death - and offered by him to a biographer.

Harding's family, however, didn't see the historical interest, and succesfully sought a court order to seal the letters - which was granted, for 50 years, on July 29, 1964.

They have been kept under lock and key in a secure vault ever since.

Now, though, as that 50-year court order elapses, the Library of Congress will make Harding's saucy letters available to the world, online.

And Harding, who has often been deemed one of America's least impressive Presidents, will have a whole new history written.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

Smartwatch with health app. Glowing neon icon on brick wall background Health watch: How much health data is healthy? 
Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future Cork's wild salmon warrior Sally Ferns Barnes looks to the future
(C)2024 Disney. Disneyland Paris – Disneyland Hotel Re-Opening Watch: Iconic Disneyland Paris hotel re-opens after two year renovation
ieParenting Logo
Writers ieParenting

Our team of experts are on hand to offer advice and answer your questions here

Your digital cookbook

ieStyle Live 2021 Logo
ieStyle Live 2021 Logo

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Discover the great outdoors on Ireland's best walking trails

IE Logo
Outdoor Trails

Lifestyle
Newsletter

The best food, health, entertainment and lifestyle content from the Irish Examiner, direct to your inbox.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited