The Case:
Amid the stacks at the Wesleyan University Library, a student has found a book emblazoned with the name and address of the legendary anarchist Lucy Parsons.
The biracial black and Native American activist fought in the late 1800s for the rights of the poor and disenfranchised in the face of an increasingly oppressive industrial economic system.
Did this once-feared radical own the manifesto? If so, it would pose a mystery: after Parsons died, police supposedly raided her house and confiscated all of her subversive literature. So how did this book elude them?
History Detectives explores a major labor movement uprising and Parsons’ abiding acts of defiance.
Season 5, Episode 4
Detective:
Elyse Luray
Location:Chicago, Illinois and Middletown, Connecticut
Related Content
Feature:
Technique:
Technique:
Technique:
Video:
Related Links
Explore
-
Related Investigation
Cannon House
Could this family home once have been the headquarters of the kidnapper and slave trader Patty Cannon?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Confederate Eyeglass
Is this how southern sympathizers identified each other during the Civil War?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Space Boot
What does this odd-looking boot have to do with America's first steps in space?
-
Also with Elyse Luray
Star Spangled Banner
Is this the first official copy of the national anthem?
-
Also in Industrialization: 1870-1900
Chicago Clock
What role did this clock play in keeping 19th century America running on time?
-
Also in Season 5
NC-4: First Across The Atlantic
Is this piece of fabric a remnant from the first transatlantic flight?
Comments
This is a place for opinions, comments, questions and discussion; a place where viewers of History Detectives can express their points of view and connect with others who value history. We ask that posters be polite and respectful of all opinions. History Detectives reserves the right to delete comments that don’t conform to this conduct. We will not respond to every post, but will do our best to answer specific questions, or address an error.