American Experience Season 15 Episode 13 Murder at Harvard

Murder at Harvard is the thirteenth episode of season 15 of American Experience, a historical documentary series that explores the people, events, and ideas that have shaped American history.

This episode focuses on the infamous murder of 18-year-old Harvard student, William K. Vanderbilt Jr. in 1893. The murder sent shockwaves through the nation, as it was the first killing of a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family.

The episode begins by setting the scene of turn-of-the-century Boston, with its vibrant social scene and burgeoning intellectual community. It then introduces William K. Vanderbilt Jr., a wealthy and privileged young man who had enrolled at Harvard to study botany.

On the evening of March 12, 1893, Vanderbilt was found dead in his dorm room, having been bludgeoned to death with a blunt object. The episode explores the immediate aftermath of the murder, including the investigation and the panic that swept through the Harvard community.

The investigation quickly honed in on two suspects: Frank F. Jones, the Harvard janitor, and G. J. Bell, a former student who had been expelled the previous year. The episode delves into the evidence against each suspect and the ways in which they were interrogated by the police.

As the investigation unfolded, the media scrutiny intensified. The episode explores how the press sensationalized the murder and its supposed links to the darker side of student life at Harvard.

The investigation eventually led to the arrest of Jones, who was found with incriminating evidence on his person. He was put on trial for Vanderbilt's murder, but the episode explores the ways in which his defense lawyers tried to undermine the prosecution's case.

Despite their efforts, Jones was ultimately found guilty of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. The episode explores the aftermath of the trial, including Jones's life in prison and the ways in which the murder of Vanderbilt continued to resonate through the Harvard community.

Overall, Murder at Harvard provides a fascinating insight into a notorious crime that shook America's elite to its core. Through a combination of archive footage, expert interviews, and dramatic reenactments, the episode paints a vivid picture of turn-of-the-century Boston and the people who lived through this shocking crime.