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The Life of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd
Did Samuel Mudd have prior knowledge of the impending assassination of Abraham Lincoln and willingly provide aid to John Wilkes Booth after Lincoln's murder?
Historians are still divided over this issue nearly 140 years later. In 1906, Nettie Mudd published this passionate plea for her father's innocence. It includes testimony from Mudd's trial and letters written to and by him from Fort Jefferson, where he was imprisoned until 1869.
Though President Andrew Johnson pardoned Mudd, the family continued to try to get the conviction overturned. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were both sympathetic to the cause but claimed no authority in the matter. The Supreme Court has refused to hear the case.
Not only is this book a well-reasoned case for Mudd's acquittal, it's a fascinating look into the Mudd family and the early attempts to clear his name. The letters from Mudd to his adored wife are very revealing of at least a part of Mudd's character.
For the first time, this long-out-of-print book is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones.
Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.
Historians are still divided over this issue nearly 140 years later. In 1906, Nettie Mudd published this passionate plea for her father's innocence. It includes testimony from Mudd's trial and letters written to and by him from Fort Jefferson, where he was imprisoned until 1869.
Though President Andrew Johnson pardoned Mudd, the family continued to try to get the conviction overturned. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were both sympathetic to the cause but claimed no authority in the matter. The Supreme Court has refused to hear the case.
Not only is this book a well-reasoned case for Mudd's acquittal, it's a fascinating look into the Mudd family and the early attempts to clear his name. The letters from Mudd to his adored wife are very revealing of at least a part of Mudd's character.
For the first time, this long-out-of-print book is available as an affordable, well-formatted book for e-readers and smartphones.
Be sure to LOOK INSIDE or download a sample.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
268 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2007
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
June 23, 2024
This was an interesting book with a great deal of history and behind the scenes personal accounts. Reading these letters from Dr. Samuel Mudd and his wife, we get a firsthand account of what they experienced. There is a detailed account of the trial by a Military Court over a citizen which his lawyer noted in many different ways was illegal. Regardless, Dr. Mudd was sent to Dry Targus, FL to serve a life sentence with a trial by a jury and proper disclosure of evidence (specifically, the Diary of J. Wilkes Booth). He would be pardoned by outgoing President Johnson after serving 4 yrs.
This is a story I have known in passing for many years and I found these firsthand accounts interesting. I was made aware of this book by a retired English Teacher while attending a Library Book Sale. As we discussed various biographies we enjoyed, she brought up this unique account of Dr. Mudd. Our Librarian was able to obtain this book from a special collection for me to read. This was enlightening to find the number of people imprisoned based on passing conversations or providing a legitimate service for Booth they would have performed for anyone.
Today, in the year 2024, we want to believe we are living in a unique world with social media and instantaneous news sources. But in 1864 when a President has been assassinated, a General was heard to say 'someone must pay' in regards to why Dr. Mudd was arrested. From a letter written by Dr. Mudd in 1867, approaching 4 years of imprisonment, he says it best even with 157 years in between.
"Our country seems now not to be governed by the Constitution, or by law, but by unbridled popular or public opinion, of which I have no doubt many others, as in my case, have been made victims."
This is a really deep dive into history as you read these letters. There is some narration by Dr. Mudd's son who created this book. I have given this a 3* rating because I find it interesting. But not earth shattering or a must read. But for a student of this event in history, it is a must read book.
This is a story I have known in passing for many years and I found these firsthand accounts interesting. I was made aware of this book by a retired English Teacher while attending a Library Book Sale. As we discussed various biographies we enjoyed, she brought up this unique account of Dr. Mudd. Our Librarian was able to obtain this book from a special collection for me to read. This was enlightening to find the number of people imprisoned based on passing conversations or providing a legitimate service for Booth they would have performed for anyone.
Today, in the year 2024, we want to believe we are living in a unique world with social media and instantaneous news sources. But in 1864 when a President has been assassinated, a General was heard to say 'someone must pay' in regards to why Dr. Mudd was arrested. From a letter written by Dr. Mudd in 1867, approaching 4 years of imprisonment, he says it best even with 157 years in between.
"Our country seems now not to be governed by the Constitution, or by law, but by unbridled popular or public opinion, of which I have no doubt many others, as in my case, have been made victims."
This is a really deep dive into history as you read these letters. There is some narration by Dr. Mudd's son who created this book. I have given this a 3* rating because I find it interesting. But not earth shattering or a must read. But for a student of this event in history, it is a must read book.
Displaying 1 of 1 review