The Art of Crime

The Witch of New York (Beach Reads) Aug 05, 2026

Today, I'm joined by Alex Hortis, author of The Witch of New York, a riveting account of the 1843 trials of Polly Bodine. A resident of Staten Island, Bodine was accused of murdering her sister-in-law and her infant niece, sparking public outrage. Bodine went to trial not once, not twice, but three times for the crimes, and Edgar Allan Poe, Walt Whitman, and P.T. Barnum variously took part in the attendant media circus.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Born in Flames (Beach Reads) Jul 22, 2026

Today, we're joined by historian Bench Ansfield to talk about their breathtaking book, Born in Flames. It's about the arson wave of the 1970s, during which hundreds--yes, hundreds--of landlords in the Bronx set fire to their property to collect insurance. These crimes displaced thousands of Bronxites and killed a few, too. The crisis gae rise to a genre of sensationalist films Bench calls Bronxploitation that foreground poverty and vice in the borough.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Hollywood Double Agent (Beach Reads) Jul 08, 2026

Today, we're joined by historian Jonathan Gill to talk about the amazing life of Boris Morros. After the Russian Revolution, Morros immigrated to America from Eastern Europe and became a big-time Hollywood filmmaker. To an outside observer, his life would have seemed all glitz and glam, but what the public didn't know was that Morros was risking his neck every day as a double agent, spying for both the Soviets and the Americans throughout the 1940s.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum (Beach Reads) Jul 01, 2026

This week, I'm re-releasing my 2024 interview with Margalit Fox, author of The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, a biography of the notorious nineteenth-century New York crime boss, Fredericka Mandelbaum. Next week, we're back with a brand-new interview. Until then!

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Man Who Stole the Gods (Beach Reads) Jun 17, 2026

Today, I'm joined by award-winning journalist Matthew Campbell to talk about his new book, The Man Who Stole the Gods. For decades, the Bangkok-based Brit, Douglas Latchford, bought priceless Cambodian artworks that had been looted from ancient religious sites. Some of these pieces made their way to the collections of museums as august as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. In The Man Who Stole the Gods, Matthew shines a light on the looters who stole this art and the international team of sleuths who helped return these works to their native country.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Rankings (Spy vs. Spy) Jun 10, 2026

We've rated the spies, now it's time for the rankings.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Full transcripts at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Most Beautiful Woman of the Nineteenth Century: Countess of Castiglione (Spy vs. Spy) Jun 03, 2026

Virginia Oldoini considered herself the most beautiful woman of the nineteenth century. In the 1850s, a high-ranking Italian official deployed her to France on a secret mission to seduce Emperor Napoleon III for political reasons. After her stint as a spy, the Countess emerged as a poioneer of photography, leaving behind one of the most stunning bodies of photographic self-portraits of the 1800s.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

School for Scandal: Anthony Blunt (Spy vs. Spy) May 20, 2026

Anthony Blunt was about as much of a rock star as an art historian could be. Then, in 1979, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher exposed him as a Soviet spy on the floor of Parliament, destroying his reputation.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Show notes and transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

Leonora Carrington's Surreal World War (Spy vs. Spy) May 09, 2026

Today, we're joined by art historian Grace Anna, host of the fabulous ArtMuse podcast, to talk about surrealist painter and writer Leonora Carrington. After Carrington fell in love with the famed German painter, Max Ernst, the couple moved to the south of France, where they lived happily. With the outbreak of World War II, however, both Leonora and Max were arrested on espionage charages, triggering a mental breakdown for Leonora.

If you'd like to support he show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

Leonora Carrington's Surreal World War (Spy vs. Spy) May 06, 2026

Today, we're joined by art historian Grace Anna, host of the fabulous ArtMuse podcast, to talk about surrealist painter and writer Leonora Carrington. After Carrington fell in love with the famed German painter, Max Ernst, the couple moved to the south of France, where they lived happily. With the outbreak of World War II, however, both Leonora and Max were arrested on espionage charages, triggering a mental breakdown for Leonora.

If you'd like to support he show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Renegade Chevalière: Beaumarchais Part Two (Spy vs. Spy) Apr 22, 2026

The decorated French soldier, diplomat, and spy, the Chevalière d'Éon, loyally served the French crown for decades. But then she decided to blackmail the king. With nowhere to turn, the French monarch enlisted Pierre Beaumarchais to talk the rogue chevalière out of it.

For show ntoes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

A Real Figaro: Pierre Beaumarchais, Part One Apr 08, 2026

Pierre Beaumarchais made a name for himself as a watchmaker, working for none other than Louis XV. But Beaumarchais was a man of many talents, including espionage, and when Louis found himself blackmailed by a rogue pamphleteer, the king dispatched Beaumarchais on a secret mission to find the blackmailer and stop him.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.

Mata Hari, Fatal Lover (Spy vs. Spy) Mar 25, 2026

Mata Hari rose to fame as an exotic dancer in Paris before beocming a double agent in World War One, spying for both the French and the Germans. Mata Hari is often remembered as a super spy, but how much of that was true? Today, we're joined by Julie Wheelwright, author of The Fatal Lover, a book about Mata Hari, who can help us separate fact from fiction.

If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Royalist (Spy vs. Spy) Mar 11, 2026

In the late eighteenth century, Grace Elliott became a royal courtesan, famously sharing a bed with the Prince of Wales, later to reign as King George IV, and the Duke of Orléans in Paris. When the French Revolution broke out, she sided with the royalists and risked her life to sneak aristocrats out of the country.

For show notes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Chapter One: Wax to the Max (Raven) Feb 25, 2026

Today, I'm releasing episode 1 of my new podcast, Raven. Please subscribe on your podcasting platform of choice so you don't miss forthcoming episodes. Hope you enjoy!

If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Raven - Trailer Feb 18, 2026

This week, I'm sharing the trailer for my brand-new podcast, Raven! Go check it out and make sure to subscribe, so you don't miss any episodes.

The Den of Illustrious Thieves Re-Release (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Feb 11, 2026

Today, I'm re-releasing episode 1 of Queen of Crime: Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors. More information--plus some very exciting updates--in the intro to the episode. I hope you enjoy, and if you haven't already, go back and listen to Queen of Crime--it's season 3 of this podcast!

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Nazi and the Psychiatrist Jan 28, 2026

Why did the Nazis commit their atrocities? After the end of World War II, American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley tried to answer this question at Nuremberg prison. During his time as chief psychiatrist there, Kelley examined high-ranking Nazis, including Hermann Göring, as they waited to stand trial for war crimes. Today, we're joined by Jack El-Hai, author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, a book about what Kelley learned from his conversations with Göring.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Atto the Castrato (Spy vs. Spy) Jan 14, 2026

In the early seventeenth century, Atto Melani gained international renown as a castrato singer, used his stature to spy on French courtiers, and even played a role in electing a new pope. Today, we're tjoined by Dr. Roger Freitas to talk about this remarkable figure.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Mission: Implausible, Part Three (Spy vs. Spy) Dec 17, 2025

Having scored a trove of top-secret intelligence, Eppler and company desperately try to radio their findings to the German military. Unfortunately, their efforts explode in their face, to spectacular effect.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.com.

Mission: Implausible, Part Two (Spy vs. Spy) Dec 10, 2025

Having made it to Cairo and forged an alliance with megastar belly dancer Hekmet Fahmy, Nazi spy Johannes Eppler began snooping around for intelligence that could be of use to the Germans. Thanks to Hekmet, Eppler got his first major breakthrough in the case.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com

If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Mission: Implausible, Part One (Spy vs. Spy) Dec 03, 2025

From an early age, Johannes Eppler yearned for adventure. It was for that reason more than any other that he agreed to spy for the Nazis. In 1942, he embarked on a dangerous mission to enter Egypt by way of the Western Desert, hoping to gather intelligence for the German military.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Princess, Singer, Actress, Spy: Asmahan (Spy vs. Spy) Nov 19, 2025

In the 1930s, singer and actress Asmahan became one of the most beloved performers in the Arabic-speaking world. After the outbreak of World War II, she embarked on a secret mission to Syria to aid in the fight against Hitler.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Art Spy (Spy vs. Spy) Nov 05, 2025

Today, we're joined by Michelle Young, author of a the brand-new nonfiction book, The Art Spy. It tells the amazing true story of Rose Valland, a museum professional who spied on the Nazis as they looted priceless artworks. To learn more about The Art Spy and the rest of Michelle's work, visit www.michelleyoungwriter.com .

If you'd like to supprt the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing Season 6 . . . Oct 01, 2025

Introducing season 6 . . .

Introducing History Daily: The Cold War Spy Swap Sep 24, 2025

Today, I'm sharing an episode of History Daily, where they do history, daily. Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham (American Scandal, American History Tellers) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened 'on this day' in history. In this episode:At the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union conduct a spy exchange. If you like what you hear, make sure to follow History Daily wherever you get your podcasts.

The Ardlamont Mystery, Part One (Murder by the Book) Sep 17, 2025

Today, I'm releasing part one of a three-part miniseries that was previously available exclusively to patrons of The Art of Crime. It's all about the fatal shooting of a British hunter at a Scottish manor house and the authorities' efforts to determine whether the vicitm died by accident or by design. If you'd like to hear how it all ends, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Remembering Elliott Speer With a Very Special Guest (Murder by the Book) Sep 03, 2025

Today, we're joined by a very special guest to remember the life of Elliott Speer.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Fact and Fiction (Murder by the Book) Aug 20, 2025

Today, we look at how the conventions of detective fiction informed--and misinformed--the investigation into the murder of Elliott Speer.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Trial (Murder by the Book) Aug 06, 2025

In 1937, former Mount Hermon employee S. Allan Norton was ambushed at home by a trespasser with a shotgun. Norton identified his attacker as Thomas Elder, prime suspect in the unsolved murder of Elliott Speer. Members of the community held their breath as Elder went to trial for the attempted murder of Norton, hoping that proceedings would shed light on the shooting of Headmaster Speer.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Suspect (Murder by the Book) Jul 23, 2025

Within a week or two of the shooting of Elliott Speer, Dean Thomas Elder, second-in-command at Mount Hermon School for Boys, became the prime suspect in the crime. After amassing as much evidence as possible agains Elder, District Attorney Joseph Bartlett called an inquest that would determine whether Elder would stand trial for the homicide.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Investigation (Murder by the Book) Jul 09, 2025

In 1934, police were initially baffled by the murder of Elliott Speer. Then, one day, while an investigator was combing over the bookshelves in Speer's study, he happened upon a murder mystery that blew the case wide open.

Show notes and full transcripts are available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Life and Death of Elliott Speer (Murder by the Book) Jun 25, 2025

The son of an internationally renowned Presbyterian preacher, Elliott Speer became headmaster of the Mount Hermon School for Boys, a religiously oriented boarding school, in 1932. On the night of September 14, 1934, a trespasser murdered Speer in his own home, devastating his family, his colleagues, and the rest of the community.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing Season 5 . . . Jun 11, 2025

Introducing season 5 . . .

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. You can also sign up for an Apple subscription for bonus content, early access, and ad-free listening.

Ask Me Anything (Crimes of Old New York) May 28, 2025

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions and comments!

As promised, here's a link to Netherlandish Proverbs: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netherlandish_Proverbs.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Practice Run (Crimes of Old New York) May 14, 2025

In 1990, two men entered the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and stole something like $500 million worth of art, in what became the most infamous art heist in U.S. history. Today, we're joined by retired museum professional Frederick J. Fisher, who thinks that the Gardner affair may have been a sequel to an earlier effort to rob a different institution, the Hyde Collection, located in Glens Falls, New York. Fisher explores the theory in a new book titled The Practice Run, which is out May 15, 2025, so go order a copy!

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Devil Wears Rothko (Crimes of Old New York) Apr 30, 2025

Today, we're joined by acclaimed author and filmmaker Barry Avrich to talk about one of the most colossal art fraud cases in New York history. It all started when a woman named Glafira Rosales walked into the storied Knoedler Gallery with a painting she claimed to have been created by Mark Rothko. The ensuing fiasco ended in catastrophe for the gallery.

The Devil Wears Rothko by Barry Avrich is out June 24, 2025, and you can pre-order a copy today.

If you'd like to support The Art of Crime, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Shooting Andy Warhol: Valerie Solanas (Re-Release) Apr 16, 2025

This week, I'm re-releasing one of my all-time favorite episodes of The Art of Crime, "Shooting Andy Warhol: Valerie Solanas." It originally aired ac ouple years back, during seasons 2 of the podcast, Assassins. It looks at how playwright, writer, and all-around hellraiser Valerie Solanas shot and nearly killed Andy Warhol in 1968.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Theft and the Met (Crimes of Old New York) Apr 02, 2025

Today, we're joined by the fabulous Amanda Matta, host of the Art of History podcast, to talk about theft and New York's Metropolitan Museum. On the one hand, the Met has acquired a good chunk of its collection by dubious means, including the purchase of looted objects. On the other hand, the museum itself has become the target of thieves, leading to some of New York's most astounding art heists.

Make sure to check out Art of History and follow Amanda on social media. If you're interested in royal history, you should definitely check out her work since she made a name for herself as TikTok's number one royal commentator.

If you'd like to support The Art of Crime, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Show notes available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

Wig Heist! (Crimes of Old New York) Mar 19, 2025

One Monday morning in 1958, Nina Lawson, Mistress of Wigs at the Metropolitan Opera, came into work to discover that someone had stolen thirty thousand dollars' worth of wigs from the Met. The theft made national headlines, and the FBI joined the hunt for the culprits.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Meteoric Rise of Audrey Munson (Crimes of Old New York) Mar 12, 2025

Today, I'm thrilled to share an episode of a wonderful podcast, ArtMuse. This is part one of a two-part episode about Audrey Munson, sometimes referred to as "America's first supermodel." She inspired more than a dozen prominent statues throughout New York. After reaching the height of her fame, she got roped into one of the early twentieth century's most sensational homicide trials, right up there with the trial of Harry Thaw for the murder of Stanford White.

You can learn more about ArtMuse here: https://www.artmusepodcast.com/.

If you'd like to suppor The Art of Crime, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

To Catch a Book Thief (Crimes of Old New York) Mar 05, 2025

In 1931, a trio of thieves stole a rare book by Edgar Allan Poe worth more than half a million dollars from the New York Public Library. To bring them to justice, the library called in G. William Bergquist, an investigator who specialized in recovering stolen books.

Mae West Goes to Jail (Crimes of Old New York) Feb 19, 2025

In 1927, blond-haired bombshell and future movie star Mae West performed the lead role in a play about a prostitute titled SEX. The risqué production launched her to stardom on Broadway. There was just one problem--it also launched her straight into a jail cell.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

A Gentleman and a Thief (Crimes of Old New York) Feb 05, 2025

In the Roaring Twenties, Arthur Barry stole millions of dollars' worth of jewels from some of New York's wealthiest residents. Today, we talk about the cat burglar's audacious capers with best-selling author Dean Jobb, whose new biography of Barry is titled A Gentleman and a Thief. For more about Jobb's writing, visit his website at https://www.deanjobb.com/.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Murder at Madison Square Garden (Crimes of Old New York) Jan 22, 2025

In 1901, Broadway chorus girl Evelyn Nesbit met Stanford White, the fabulously wealthy and influential architect who designed Madison Square Garden. They formed a relationship that ended in murder six years later, right in the middle of a crowded performance at Madison Square Garden.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Child Musicians of Crosby Street (Crimes of Old New York) Jan 08, 2025

In the 1860s and '70s, hundreds--maybe thousands--of Italian children migrated to New York to make money as street musicians. They worked for bosses known as padroni, living in squalor and suffering abuse at the hands of their employers. In 1873, the plight of these little street performers unleashed outrage in New York and neighboring states, which prompted the federal government to take action.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Yuletide Art Heists of 1990 (Crimes of Old New York) Dec 18, 2024

In 1990, three separate art heists took place in the week leading up to Christmas, baffling New York authorities as well as the FBI. In this special holiday episode, we look at police efforts to recover the stolen artworks as well as the many mysteries that hover over the case to this day.

Music featured in this episode:

"Deck The Halls" by Alexander Nakarada (CreatorChords) | https://creatorchords.com--Music promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.com Creative Commons / Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ "Nutcracker- Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy" by Jon Sayles (Creative Commons License) All other music by Liam Bellman-Sharpe.

For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum (Crimes of Old New York) Dec 04, 2024

Today, we're joined by best-selling author Margalit Fox to talk about Fredericka "Marm" Mandelbaum, who rose to the top of New York's underworld as a criminal fence and financial backer of bank burglaries in the 1860s and '70s. Earlier this year, Margalit published a brand-new biography of the crime boss, titled The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, which you will most assuredly enjoy if you like this podcast.

If you'd like to learn more about Margalit's work, including The Talented Mrs. Mandelbaum, make sure to check out her website: https://margalitfox.com/books.

If you'd like to support the podcast, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

George L. Leslie and the Gilded Age of Bank Robbery (Crimes of Old New York) Nov 20, 2024

In the late 1860s, gentleman bank robber George L. Leslie arrived in New York and started working for Fredericka Mandelbaum, one of the city's most notorious crime bosses. Leslie always claimed to have studied architecture in college and drew on his training to mastermind some of the most daring heists of the century, earning the nickname of "King of Bank Robbers." His reign would prove short-lived, however, after a robbery went bad in 1878.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Adventure of the Libelous Painter (Crimes of Old New York) Nov 06, 2024

In 1817, Italian-born painter Francesco Mezzara had a spat with his patron, New York attorney Aaron Palmer. As the feud escalated, Mezzara painted an insulting picture of Palmer and put it up for auction. Mezzara was giddy when the picture fetched $40—but not for long. Soon, he stood accused of criminal libel on account of the offensive portrait.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

The Curse of Catherine Ring (Crimes of Old New York) Oct 30, 2024

In this special Halloween episode, we explore an urban legend that emerged from the trial of Levi Weeks. After the verdict came down, a vengeful Catherine Ring is said to have cursed Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and Justice John Lansing, causing all three to die lamentable deaths.

Show notes available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Manhattan Well Mystery (Crimes of Old New York) Oct 23, 2024

On January 2, 1800, a group of New Yorkers discovered the body of a missing local in the disused Manhattan Well. The Manhattan Well Murder, as the crime came to be known, led to a sensational trial, in which two of America's Founding Fathers participated. Given the intense public interest in the homicide, publishers raced to print the first—and fullest—account of the proceedings, spawning a new genre of crime writing. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing Crimes of Old New York Oct 16, 2024

This season, we explore crimes that only could have happened in the Big Apple.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing History Daily: The Shining Debuts Oct 09, 2024

Today, I'm sharing an episode of the chart-topping podcast, History Daily. This episode is about the premiere of one of the greatest horror films ever made, Stanley Kubrick's The Shining. What better way to kick off spooky season? Next week, we're announcing the theme of season 4 of The Art of Crime, so watch this space! If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Ask Me Anything (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Aug 21, 2024

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions and comments! For show notes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Princess Caraboo with Ann Foster (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Jul 31, 2024

Today, we're joined by Ann Foster, host and creator of the Vulgar History podcast. Gavin and Ann talk about the enigmatic Princess Caraboo, an exotic princess who washed up on English shores in 1817 and generated a sensation in the press as various observers tried to work out where she had come from. Make sure to check out Vulgar History here: https://vulgarhistory.com/ If you'd like to support The Art of Crime and gain access to exclusive bonus episodes, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. If you have questions or comments that you'd like to share, please send them to artofcrimepodcast@gmail.com.

Azadeh Akhlaghi: Bearing Witness Jul 17, 2024

Today, I'm releasing an episode that became available exclusively to patrons of The Art of Crime at the end of last season. It's about Iranian photographer Azadeh Akhlaghi and her photo-series, By an Eye-Witness, which reconstructs politically significant deaths in twentieth-century Iranian history. If you want more content like this, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Art of Revolution with Will Clark (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Jun 26, 2024

Today, we're joined by Will Clark, host and creator of Grey History: The French Revolution. He and Gavin discuss their favorite works of art from the French Revolution. Show notes available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show and gain access to exclusive bonus episodes, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. And make sure to check out Grey History: The French Revolution, hosted by the brilliant Will Clark.

Trial by Playbill (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Jun 12, 2024

In 1823, John Thurtell murdered the gambler William Weare while the two were riding in a horse-drawn gig. Cashing in on public fascination with the case, the Surrey Theatre staged The Gamblers, a play that recreated the murder and incorporated the actual horse-drawn gig in which the crime took place. The Gamblers became one of the most explosive melodramas of the nineteenth century and came back to haunt Madame Tussaud more than two decades later. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Murder at the Wax Museum with Caroline Crampton (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) May 29, 2024

A surprising number of crime stories from the Golden Age of Detective Fiction take place in wax museums. Today, we're joined by Caroline Crampton, host and creator of Shedunnit, a podcast that unravels the mysteries behind classic detective stories, to talk about why the wax museum has fueled the imagination of so many crime writers. Link to "Waxworks" by Ethel Lina White: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47480274/4608076. Spoiled Stories:

"Waxworks" by Ethel Lina White

Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle

It Walks by Night by John Dickson Carr

"The Abominable History of the Man With Copper Fingers" by Dorothy L. Sayers

"The Empty House" by Arthur Conan Doyle

"Poison in the Garden Suburb" by G.D.H. and Margaret Cole For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.com.

Marie Antoinette, The Marriage of Figaro, and the Diamond Necklace Affair May 15, 2024

Beaumarchais's madcap comedy, The Marriage of Figaro, smashed box-office records when it opened in Paris in 1784. The following year, a team of real-life con artists drew inspiration from a crucial scene in the play as they planned—and pulled off—the swindle of the century. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The True Crime Controversy of 1849 (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Apr 18, 2024

In 1849, George and Maria Manning murdered a guest in their London home and fled the British capital . A dramatic hunt for the killers ensued. After the law caught up with the Mannings, the glamorous Maria achieved near-celebrity status as she made her way through the justice system. A staggering thirty thousand spectators gathered to watch her and George's public execution, triggering a ferocious debate about the ethics of capital punishment. When renowned wax modeler Madame Tussaud unveiled a likeness of Maria in the Chamber of Horrors, a showroom in her wax museum that exhibited effigies of notorious criminals, Tussaud met with perhaps the fiercest criticism she had ever faced in her career. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Baker Street Bazaar and the Cult Leader of Kent (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Apr 04, 2024

After more than three decades of touring the provinces, Madame Tussaud made the unexpected decision to settle down in London in 1835. Within a matter of years, Tussaud was running the metropolis's number-one tourist destination, and she updated the Chamber of Horrors more frequently than ever before. In 1838, she unveiled an effigy of Sir William Courtenay, a charismatic cult leader who committed a murder that led to a government massacre of his followers. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Burke and Hare at Madame Tussaud and Sons (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Mar 20, 2024

For more than three decades, Madame Tussaud toured England, Scotland, and Ireland, winning nationwide acclaim. Over the years, her enterprise morphed into a family business, with both her sons dedicating their lives to the wax museum. In 1829, Madame Tussaud and Sons scored one of their biggest hits of the '20s with controversial effigies of Burke and Hare, Edinburgh-based murderers who sold their victims' cadavers to anatomists for dissection. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Red Barn Murder (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Mar 06, 2024

From 1803 to 1808, Madame Tussaud toured Scotland and Ireland, exhibiting her handiwork in major cities. During this time, she took drastic measures to win her freedom from her exploitative business partner, Paul Philipstahl. Tussaud went years without creating new figures related to crime, but in 1828 she introduced a likeness of William Corder, perpetrator of the infamous Red Barn Murder. This brutal homicide sparked a cultural phenomenon that lasted for the rest of the nineteenth century and beyond, inspiring books, broadsides, murder ballads, peepshows, plays, and even movies. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Fright Night at the Lyceum (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Feb 22, 2024

After marrying and starting a family, Madame Tussaud accepted an offer to partner with another showman and exhibit her handiwork in London. To her dismay, she soon realized that she had teamed up with a snake. Despite a rough start in the British capital, Tussaud scored a major hit with a wax effigy of Colonel Edward Marcus Despard, a convicted traitor who was hanged, drawn, and quartered in February 1803. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Tussaud and the Terror (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Feb 08, 2024

As the French Revolution ran its course, the monarchy crumbled, and the nation descended into wanton violence. During the Reign of Terror, thousands of French citizens went to the guillotine, and Tussaud made waxen replicas of important revolutionaries' severed heads, including that of Maximilien Robespierre. In 1793, she also created a wax tableau inspired by perhaps the most notorious crime of this period: the assassination of Jean-Paul Marat. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Phantom of the Bastille (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Jan 24, 2024

On July 12, 1789, a crowd of protestors furious over King Louis XVI's policies swarmed Madame Tussaud and Philippe Curitus's wax museum, demanding busts of prominent political figures. This episode led to bloodshed that same afternoon. Two days later, a mob stormed the Bastille, a medieval prison, marking the outbreak of the French Revolution. Soon after, the Den of Illustrious Thieves exhibited objects associated with the Bastille, including an effigy of the notorious Comte de Lorges, a prisoner who supposedly languished there for three decades. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Den of Illustrious Thieves (Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors) Jan 10, 2024

Born in 1761, Madame Tussaud studied the art of wax modeling under Philippe Curtius, owner of the most famous wax museum in pre-revolutionary Paris. Sometime around 1780, Curtius opened a special exhibit in his establishment called The Den of Illustrious Thieves, in which he displayed wax effigies of notorious murderers. He had an early hit with a sculpture of double poisoner Antoine Francois Desrues, a struggling grocer who wanted to live the life of an aristocrat whether he could afford to or not. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing Queen of Crime: Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors Jan 03, 2024

Introducing Queen of Crime: Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing Who ARTed? - The Stockholm Art Heist Dec 27, 2023

Today, I'm sharing an episode of the delightful art history podcast, Who ARTed?, hosted by Kyle Wood. This episode is all about the Stockholm art heist of the year 2000. Find out what extraordinary paintings were stolen from the National Gallery--and how they were recovered. We're back next week with another installment in Queen of Crime: Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors.

Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Herculean Labor of Sculpting the Perseus Dec 20, 2023

The Perseus of Benvenuto Cellini is justly considered a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture. Believe it or not, this statue almost never existed. From start to finish, sculpting the Perseus proved a Herculean labor, as dogged opposition from Cellini's own patron, life-threatening illness, and the sheer enormity of the artist's ambitions conspired against him. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Before Borat: The Dreadnought Hoax Dec 13, 2023

In 1910, four Abyssinian royals toured the H.M.S. Dreadnought, the most technologically advanced ship in the British Royal Navy. Afterward, however, it leaked to the press that the captain and crew of the vessel had been duped: they had given a tour not to foreign dinitaries but British citizens. The Dreadnought affair caused a minor scandal, and what started as a practical joke threatened to end in legal repercussions for the hoaxers. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing History Uncovered: The Disappearance of Michael Rockefeller Nov 29, 2023

Today, we're joined by Austin Harvey, co-host of History Uncovered, a podcast that explores the natural world and the world past. First, we'll hear a History Uncovered episode about the mysterious disappearance of indigenous art collector Michael Rockefeller in 1961. Afterward, Austin chats with Gavin about the process of making the episode and offers additional insight on a few key points. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Art of Crime Interview on Crawlspace Nov 08, 2023

Back in the spring, I was interviewed on the true crime podcast, Crawlspace, and I wanted to share that interview with you. Hope you enjoy! We'll be back with original Art of Crime content in December, and season 3 will start in earnest in January 2024.

If you'd like more Art of Crime content now, however, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

There, you can listen to a sneak peak at season 3, and we're coming out with two new episodes related to the theme of assassins in the coming days.

Ask Me Anything (Assassins) Oct 25, 2023

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions! Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Stephen Sondheim . . . and Even More Assassins (Assassins) Oct 11, 2023

In 1990, Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman created Assassins, a musical about the nine men and women who have attempted to assassinate U.S. presidents, from John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald. In this special episode, we're joined by three Sondheim buffs to talk about why the musical has remained popular--and controversial--since it opened. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. If you like this episode, make sure to check out Kyle Marshall's Putting it Together, the podcast dedicated to discussing every musical by Stephen Sondheim, song by song and lyric by lyric.

The Blue House Blues: Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Leon Trotsky at the Casa Azul (Assassins) Sep 27, 2023

Thanks to the efforts of renowned Mexican muralist Diego Rivera, Leon Trotsky gained political asylum in Mexico. In early 1937, the Russian revolutionary moved in with the painter and his wife, Frida Kahlo, at the Blue House on the outskirts of the Mexican capital. A torrid drama ensued, in which Trotsky betrayed his benefactor, at great risk to his own safety. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Laura Keene and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln (Assassins) Sep 13, 2023

In 1858, actor-manager Laura Keene bought exclusive rights to Tom Taylor's comedy, Our American Cousin, which became the smash hit of the decade. On April 14, 1865, Keene was performing the play at Ford's Theatre when John Wilkes Booth shot Abraham Lincoln. As the assassin fled and the playhouse descended into pandemonium, Keene endeavored to manage the crisis. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

History Daily Special Presentation: The Antwerp Diamond Heist Aug 30, 2023

The first in a series of bonus episodes related to the theme of assassins will drop on Wednesday, September 13. To tide you over until then, I'm pleased to present two episodes of the History Daily podcast. History Daily generously featured an episode of The Art of Crime a few weeks back, so I wanted to return the favor. This History Daily episode is about the Antwerp diamond heist of 2003, one of the largest heists of all time. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

History Daily Special Presentation: The Mystery of D.B. Cooper Aug 30, 2023

The first in a series of bonus episodes related to the theme of assassins will drop on Wednesday, September 13. To tide you over until then, I'm pleased to present two episodes of the History Daily podcast. History Daily generously featured an episode of The Art of Crime a few weeks back, so I wanted to return the favor. This episode is about the mystery of D.B. Cooper. On November 24, 1971, an unidentified criminal known by that name hijacks a Boeing 727, extorts $200,000 in ransom money, and parachutes to an uncertain fate. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Last Word (Assassins) Aug 16, 2023

In this episode, we look back on the crimes we covered this season and consider what we've learned about the nature of assassination, especially when artists are in the picture. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Good Friday, 1865: John Wilkes Booth, Pt. II (Assassins) Aug 02, 2023

On April 14, 1865, Abraham Lincoln attended a performance of Our American Cousin at Ford's Theatre in Washington. John Wilkes Booth shot him in the middle of the show and escaped from the playhouse, after which a dramatic manhunt ensued. His crime would not only cost him his life but forever tarnish the name of Booth, which had previously belonged to the nation's most celebrated theatrical dynasty. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

A Family Affair: John Wilkes Booth, Pt. I (Assassins) Jul 19, 2023

John Wilkes Booth hailed from America's most celebrated theatrical dynasty. At the height of his powers, his father, Junius, ranked as the greatest Shakespearean in the country, and John's older brothers, Junius and Edwin, also achieved fame. After an unpromising professional debut, John lived up to the family name, rising to stardom. With the outbreak of the American Civil War, however, he eventually left acting and plotted a conspiracy to aid the Confederacy by treasonous means. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Life and Crimes of a Casual Necromancer: Benvenuto Cellini (Assassins) Jun 28, 2023

Apart from creating exquisite music, goldwork, and statuary under the patronage of Pope Clement VII, among other notables, sixteenth-century Renaissance man Benvenuto Cellini had a special talent for making enemies. One professional rivalry even ended in murder, in the middle of a busy street. After getting imprisoned for a crime he never committed, Cellini found himself the target of a brazen assassination attempt. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Teigin Enigma: Sadamichi Hirasawa (Assassins) Jun 14, 2023

In 1949, a man claiming to be a doctor walked into a Tokyo bank. By the time he walked out, he had stolen 160,000 yen and left ten people dead or dying inside. Given the speed and sophistication of the killings, police assumed they were looking for a trained assassin. Instead, their investigation led to an unassuming landscape painter named Sadamichi Hirasawa. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Adolf Hitler and the Ghosts of the Great War: Otto Dix (Assassins) May 31, 2023

After serving in WWI, German painter Otto Dix rose to fame in the 1920s partly through his unflinching portrayal of modern warfare and the toll it took on the human body. However, these themes landed him on the blacklist following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933. After a no-name carpenter masterminded—and nearly pulled off—a daring attempt on Hitler's life in 1939, the Nazis came knocking at Dix's door, suspecting that he aided the would-be assassin. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

"What an Artist Dies in Me" : Nero, Pt. II (Assassins) May 17, 2023

After the assassination of his mother, Agrippina, Nero threw himself into the performing arts like never before, training to become both a musician and a tragic actor. He even toured Greece to compete in its famous sports and arts festivals. As Nero's megalomania and abuses of office grew more outrageous, however, a group of conspirators plotted his assassination. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

A Portrait of the Tyrant as a Young Man: Nero, Pt. I (Assassins) May 03, 2023

Nero became emperor of Rome in 54 A.D., largely thanks to the scheming of his mother, Agrippina. The teenaged ruler showed promise early on, yet major flaws swiftly revealed themselves, including an obsession with becoming a musician. As his enemies multiplied, Nero retained power by brutal means. In 59, he ordered one of the most notorious assassinations of the century, inspired by a special effect he saw at the theater. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Shooting Andy Warhol: Valerie Solanas (Assassins) Apr 19, 2023

When Valerie Solanas moved to New York in the early-to-mid 1960s, she wanted nothing more than to become a writer. Within a few years, she approached perhaps the most admired—and reviled—artist in the United States, Andy Warhol, proposing that he produce her pipe-bomb of a comedy, Up Your Ass. Though promising at first, their relationship went south, and in 1968, Solanas walked into Warhol's studio with the intention of shooting him dead. As you can probably tell from this summary alone, this episode contains language that may offend some listeners. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Assassinations of Leon Trotsky: David Alfaro Siqueiros (Assassins) Apr 05, 2023

A diehard Communist, David Alfaro Siqueiros fought in the Mexican Revolution in the mid-1910s. Over the next several decades, he would revolutionize the theory and practice of muralism in Mexico and abroad, largely inspired by his radical politics. In 1940, his political convictions led to a less honorable enterprise when he spearheaded an assault on the home of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky as he and his family slept in their beds. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing Assassins Mar 30, 2023

Season 2 of The Art of Crime explores a new theme. Listen to this trailer to find out what it is! Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Ask Me Anything (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Mar 01, 2023

Thanks to everyone who submitted questions! Let me know if you'd like to hear more AMA episodes in the future at artofcrimepodcast@gmail.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Arthur Conan Doyle, Consulting Detective (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Feb 15, 2023

Arthur Conan Doyle rose to fame as the inventor of Sherlock Holmes. Not unlike his literary creation, Doyle had a knack for making inferences about others based on observation alone and even brought that talent to bear on real-life criminal cases. He also weighed in on the Ripper killings, drawing curve-ball conclusions about how the murderer committed his crimes. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Toynbee Hall and Jack the Ripper (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Feb 01, 2023

In 1884, the Reverend Samuel Barnett and his wife, Henrietta, founded Toynbee Hall, a charitable institution meant to improve the lives of Whitechapel residents. From its inception, Toynbee Hall offered both arts education and programming. The Ripper's victims died within walking distance of its doorstep, and Bruce Robinson believes that the Hall was essential to Michael Maybrick's s plan to get away with murder. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Inquest Scenes (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Jan 18, 2023

In 1913, Marie Belloc Lowndes published her novel, The Lodger, inspired by a story that painter Walter Sickert heard from his landlady. At one point, the heroine attends a farcical inquest, during which a witness offers bogus testimony. This fictional debacle resonates with one of the more bizarre episodes in the Whitechapel murders. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Men Who Caught Crippen (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Jan 03, 2023

In 1910, Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen poisoned his wife, Cora, and fled to Canada with his mistress in disguise. Detective Walter Dew, who cut his teeth on the force while hunting for the Ripper in 1888, donned a costume of his own as he pursued the fugitives. Like the Whitechapel murderer, Crippen is dubiously said to have procured his disguise from wigmaker and costume designer Willy Clarkson. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Verdict: Not Guilty (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Dec 14, 2022

We look back at the artists we've covered this season and consider what we've learned about the Whitechapel murders and the theories they've inspired. Why are artists so popular as Ripper suspects? Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Master Mason: Michael Maybrick (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Nov 30, 2022

Singer and composer Michael Maybrick was the Victorian equivalent of a pop star in 1889 when his older brother, James, died under enigmatic circumstances. In 2015, writer and director Bruce Robinson nominated Michael as the Ripper, based on what he believes happened to James as well as Michael's involvement in the Freemasons, one of the most secretive and talked-about fraternities in Victorian England. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Man Who Knew Too Much: Walter Sickert (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Nov 09, 2022

One of the most important painters of his generation, Walter Sickert gravitated toward scenes of low life and at times depicted women who appeared to be dead. In the 1970s, a man purporting to be Sickert's illegitimate son implicated the painter in the Whitechapel homicides. Sickert has since become a favored Ripper candidate and has received more attention as a possible perpetrator than any other artist covered this season. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Murder in Verse: James Kenneth Stephen (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Oct 26, 2022

When the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, hired the brilliant James Kenneth Stephen to tutor his eldest son, Prince Eddy, Stephen and his student became fast friends. Some believe they were more than friends. After publishing two volumes of poetry, Stephen suffered a mental breakdown in 1891. Based on what happened next, Stephen's tantalizing relationship with Eddy, and violent themes in his writing, several commentators have named the poet as the Ripper. Show notes and full transcript below.Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Anagramamaniacs: Lewis Carroll (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Oct 12, 2022

Lewis Carroll was teaching math at Oxford when he befriended Alice Liddell, a colleague's daughter. Even though their friendship ended in scandal, it led to one of the most beloved children's books of all time, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. In 1996, psychotherapist Richard Wallace accused Carroll of committing the Whitechapel murders, claiming to have discovered compromising anagrams in Carroll's writing. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Jekyll, Hyde, and Jack the Ripper: Richard Mansfield (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Sep 28, 2022

In 1887, American actor Richard Mansfield originated the dual role of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde in Boston. His performance as Hyde was so terrifying that audience members fainted. In the late summer of 1888, he took the show to London, presenting it at the metropolis's foremost playhouse. Just weeks after Jekyll and Hyde opened, the Ripper claimed his first canonical victim, and Mansfield aroused suspicion as the culprit. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Master of Disguise: Willy Clarkson (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Sep 16, 2022

For decades, Willy Clarkson reigned as London's most famous theatrical wigmaker and costume designer. Also renowned as a master of disguise, he did business with countless customers intent on concealing their identities. According to Clarkson's early biographer, Jack the Ripper was one of them. However, documentarian P. William Grimm has recently argued that Clarkson and Jack were one and the same person. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

The Whitechapel Murders (Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper) Sep 16, 2022

In 1888, the malefactor known as Jack the Ripper killed at least five women—Polly Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elisabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly—in the poverty-stricken district of Whitechapel, East London. In the first episode of this season, we discuss the victims' lives and times as well as their deaths. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing The Unusual Suspects: Artists Accused of Being Jack the Ripper Sep 15, 2022

In 1888, Jack the Ripper murdered at least five women in the East End of London. More than a century later, we haven't stopped talking about his crimes, nor have we given up on unmasking the perpetrator. In season 1 of The Art of Crime, we look at six artists who have been accused of the killings. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

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