Suzanne Lebsock Reading
Suzanne Lebsock reads from her work, Murder in Virginia: Southern Justice on Trial. Lebsock, who considers herself a social historian, details the 1895 ax murder of a white woman in Lunenberg, Virginia. Lebsock explains that three black women and one man were charged with the murder, and many community members worked to ensure their safety so that they escape public lynchings and live to be tried in a court of law.
Lebsock goes on to explain that the three women were convicted of the murder and sent to a jail in Richmond. While in Richmond, the women’s situation became publicized through the local black newspaper, and enough money was raised for each woman to receive a new trial with lawyers to represent them. As a result, all three women were eventually freed.
During a question and answer session, Lebsock speculates on who she believes committed the murder, and outlines the evidence she had uncovered to support her conclusion. She explains that the sources she consulted during her research were scattered and incomplete; there had only been a transcript produced for one of the many trials of the women. Lebsock also points out that all of the accused were functionally illiterate, and subsequently did not leave behind any records of the events.
Lebsock ends by reflecting on the events from 1895, and explains that her research revealed that many people were willing to act honorably in the situation, regardless of the influence of race. While Lebsock had begun her research with the assumption that the focus would be on gender issues, she realized that ultimately the story dealt more heavily with race issues.
In: "Live from Prairie Lights" Audio Archive | Nonfiction
Authors: Suzanne Lebsock
Date Recorded: February 23, 2005
Works Read: A Murder in Virginia: Southern Justice on Trial by Suzanne Lebsock
Program: Live From Prairie Lights
Format: reading
Contributors: Introduction by host Julie Englander.
Topics: Virginia, race relations, lynching, historical research