May 25, 2009
Book Leads Charge to Solve Mystery of Explorer’s Death
Meriwether Lewis, the leader of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, died at age 35, on October 11, 1809. His death under mysterious circumstances is the subject of a new book, The Death of Meriwether Lewis: A Historic Crime Scene Investigation, co-authored by James E. Starrs and Kira Gale. Professor Starrs is also leading a team of forensic scientists for the purpose of analyzing Lewis’s remains to determine whether his death was a homicide or suicide.
In this podcast episode we speak with Starrs and Gale, who tell us why the death of Lewis has become such a passion for both of them, and fill us in on the progress of their project.
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November 26th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Just saw the great talk on the death of Meriwether. Thank you! Will order the book as soon as I sign off here.
Late in life I developed genealogy as a hobby out of curiosity. As a child I heard my father say that we (his family was in the Northern Neck of Virginia since the early 1600s)were relatives of George Washington, George Rogers Clarke, and Meriwether Lewis. We brushed his casual comments off at that time.
Now I live again in our family’s Northern Neck of Virginia home, became active in the Northumberland Co. historical society some years back,and learned that he wasn’t joking. I have records back to in some cases the 1400s on our connections to Washingtons, Popes, et al.–but so far nothing sound on Mr. Lewis (and some on GRC which I consider suspect). Could you recommend some genealogical sources that might be helpful? Thanks for any sources you could suggest.
–Virginia (Winstead)Jamieson
December 29th, 2009 at 11:09 am
can you imagine, I was cleaning up my email logs…and deleted your email address!! sorry..anyway, happy new year. I’ve been playing around with two areas: (a) Jefferson providing Pernier the address as to where to stay with his near blind x-slave in DC…and subsequently providing this information to Wilkinson in early 1810..may seem innocent enough..but (b) an often ignored sequence of interaction between Seth Hunt and Wilkinson back in 1805..06. The letters between them show how ‘interactive’ Willie could be. And of course..Wilkinson’s dear associate Cushing served as an intermediate…like having a Wilkinson twin..as an go-between. So, what can we hope for in 2010? an autopsy report! all the best for new insights in the saga. cheers, Earl