Margo Gray

He was allegedly so distraught over the breakup that he threatened to out Cyril to Harvard administrators. On the night of May 13th, Cyril confided in his older brother about his relationship with Harry. By the next day, Cyril was dead, leaving his brother heartbroken. The story could very well have ended here, but a letter from a friend arrived for Cyril after he died.

The content of that letter was not only deeply personal, but also highly incriminating.

The content of that letter was not only deeply personal, but also highly incriminating.

The content of that letter was not only deeply personal, but also highly incriminating.

One of the letters came from a classmate named Ernest, the son of a prominent state politician.

One of the letters came from a classmate named Ernest, the son of a prominent state politician.

One of the letters came from a classmate named Ernest, the son of a prominent state politician.

The letter from Ernest spanned nine pages and revealed that Cyril had been part of a vibrant, though secretive, gay community at Harvard. Cyril's brother was shocked. He had long believed that Cyril had been coerced into the relationship. But this letter, and another that arrived soon after, painted a very different picture, that Cyril had been a willing, even eager participant.

The letter from Ernest spanned nine pages and revealed that Cyril had been part of a vibrant, though secretive, gay community at Harvard. Cyril's brother was shocked. He had long believed that Cyril had been coerced into the relationship. But this letter, and another that arrived soon after, painted a very different picture, that Cyril had been a willing, even eager participant.

The letter from Ernest spanned nine pages and revealed that Cyril had been part of a vibrant, though secretive, gay community at Harvard. Cyril's brother was shocked. He had long believed that Cyril had been coerced into the relationship. But this letter, and another that arrived soon after, painted a very different picture, that Cyril had been a willing, even eager participant.

In the 1920s, sexuality was just beginning to be studied by social scientists. But for most people, sexual activity was still seen through a religious lens, with same-sex relationships considered sinful. Cyril's brother shared that view.

In the 1920s, sexuality was just beginning to be studied by social scientists. But for most people, sexual activity was still seen through a religious lens, with same-sex relationships considered sinful. Cyril's brother shared that view.

In the 1920s, sexuality was just beginning to be studied by social scientists. But for most people, sexual activity was still seen through a religious lens, with same-sex relationships considered sinful. Cyril's brother shared that view.

Just over a week after Cyril's death, his older brother showed up at the doorstep of Cyril's ex, Harry Dreyfuss. The details of their conversation remain unclear, but by the end of it, Cyril's brother had a list of allegedly gay Harvard students in hand, and Harry was bloodied and beaten in his own home.

Just over a week after Cyril's death, his older brother showed up at the doorstep of Cyril's ex, Harry Dreyfuss. The details of their conversation remain unclear, but by the end of it, Cyril's brother had a list of allegedly gay Harvard students in hand, and Harry was bloodied and beaten in his own home.

Just over a week after Cyril's death, his older brother showed up at the doorstep of Cyril's ex, Harry Dreyfuss. The details of their conversation remain unclear, but by the end of it, Cyril's brother had a list of allegedly gay Harvard students in hand, and Harry was bloodied and beaten in his own home.

Later that day, armed with letters and names, Cyril's brother went to meet with the dean of Harvard College. What he shared in that meeting led directly to the creation of the Secret Court, a tribunal made up of five influential Harvard administrators.

Later that day, armed with letters and names, Cyril's brother went to meet with the dean of Harvard College. What he shared in that meeting led directly to the creation of the Secret Court, a tribunal made up of five influential Harvard administrators.

Later that day, armed with letters and names, Cyril's brother went to meet with the dean of Harvard College. What he shared in that meeting led directly to the creation of the Secret Court, a tribunal made up of five influential Harvard administrators.

In the following weeks, the court would orchestrate a secretive, invasive, and shockingly effective inquisition into the sexual lives of Harvard students. Those students who were unlucky enough to be caught up in it found their lives forever changed.