The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York

The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York

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The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York

The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York

4.9/5
1,352 RATINGS  |  318 REVIEWS

Description: In 1836, the murder of a young prostitute made headlines in New York City and around the country, inaugurating a sex-and-death sensationalism in news reporting that haunts us today. Patricia Cline Cohen goes behind these first lurid accounts to reconstruct the story of the mysterious victim, Helen Jewett. From her beginnings as a servant girl in Maine, Helen Jewett refashioned herself, using four successive aliases, into a highly paid courtesan. She invented life stories for herself that helped her build a sympathetic clientele among New York City's elite, and she further captivated her customers through her seductive letters, which mixed elements of traditional feminine demureness with sexual boldness.But she was to meet her match--and her nemesis--in a youth called Richard Robinson. He was one of an unprecedented number of young men who flooded into America's burgeoning cities in the 1830s to satisfy the new business society's seemingly infinite need for clerks. The son of an established Connecticut family, he was intense, arrogant, and given to posturing. He became Helen Jewett's lover in a tempestuous affair and ten months later was arrested for her murder. He stood trial in a five-day courtroom drama that ended with his acquittal amid the cheers of hundreds of fellow clerks and other spectators.With no conviction for murder, nor closure of any sort, the case continued to tantalize the public, even though Richard Robinson disappeared from view. Through the Erie Canal, down the Ohio and the Mississippi, and by way of New Orleans, he reached the wilds of Texas and a new life under a new name. Through her meticulous and ingenious research, Patricia Cline Cohen traces his life there and the many twists and turns of the lingering mystery of the murder. Her stunning portrayals of Helen Jewett, Robinson, and their raffish, colorful nineteenth-century world make vivid a frenetic city life and sexual morality whose complexities, contradictions, and concerns resonate with those of our own time.From the Hardcover edition. We have made it easy for you to find a PDF Ebooks without any digging. And by having access to our ebooks online or by storing it on your computer, you have convenient answers. To get started finding The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York, you are right to find our website which has a comprehensive collection of manuals listed. Our library is the biggest of these that have literally hundreds of thousands of different products represented.

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GENRES
Psychology Philosophy Art & Photography Memoir Horror Historical Fiction Graphic Novel

Page

N/A

Format

PDF, EPUB & Kindle Edition

Published

1998

Publisher

Vintage

Language

eng

Original Title

The Murder of Helen Jewett: The Life and Death of a Prostitute in Nineteenth-Century New York

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Ratings & Reviews

Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright February 13, 2024
An exceptional piece of work.
Adam Campbell
Adam Campbell June 16, 2025
Would recommend it.
Anthony Young
Anthony Young March 14, 2025
Good structure and pacing.
Harper Lee
Harper Lee December 30, 2024
The author did an outstanding job explaining complex ideas clearly.
David Thomas
David Thomas August 27, 2025
A brilliant work that keeps you engaged every page.
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Grace Adams February 11, 2024
An unforgettable reading experience from start to finish.
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Sophia Martinez October 17, 2025
A brilliant work that keeps you engaged every page.
Avery King
Avery King August 31, 2025
An exceptional piece of work.
Grace Adams
Grace Adams September 30, 2025
Enjoyed reading it overall.
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Victoria Roberts March 29, 2024
The author did an outstanding job explaining complex ideas clearly.
James Walker
James Walker February 09, 2024
An unforgettable reading experience from start to finish.
Aaron Carter
Aaron Carter October 22, 2024
The author did an outstanding job explaining complex ideas clearly.
Kevin Perez
Kevin Perez September 21, 2025
The author did an outstanding job explaining complex ideas clearly.
Eric Evans
Eric Evans September 19, 2025
I learned so much and enjoyed every chapter.
Avery King
Avery King November 03, 2025
An exceptional piece of work.
Abigail Rodriguez
Abigail Rodriguez August 02, 2024
It completely changed my perspective.
Nathan Hall
Nathan Hall June 05, 2024
Solid content and clear writing.
Michael Brown
Michael Brown September 18, 2024
This book truly stands out among others in its category.
Grace Adams
Grace Adams March 16, 2024
This book truly stands out among others in its category.
Olivia Davis
Olivia Davis April 04, 2024
Good structure and pacing.
Eric Evans
Eric Evans July 20, 2025
Helpful and informative.
Brandon Green
Brandon Green August 10, 2024
Reasonably engaging overall.
Chloe Nelson
Chloe Nelson September 25, 2025
Strong and enjoyable read.
Abigail Rodriguez
Abigail Rodriguez October 24, 2024
An exceptional piece of work.
Grace Adams
Grace Adams July 04, 2024
Very informative yet entertaining at the same time.
Isabella Taylor
Isabella Taylor August 15, 2024
This book truly stands out among others in its category.
Anthony Young
Anthony Young September 10, 2024
An exceptional piece of work.
Zoe Phillips
Zoe Phillips August 13, 2025
It completely changed my perspective.
Abigail Rodriguez
Abigail Rodriguez April 15, 2024
Very informative yet entertaining at the same time.
Zoe Phillips
Zoe Phillips October 03, 2024
This book truly stands out among others in its category.
Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright March 31, 2024
Average but still worth reading.
Abigail Rodriguez
Abigail Rodriguez October 30, 2025
Very informative yet entertaining at the same time.
James Walker
James Walker January 12, 2024
Solid content and clear writing.
Anthony Young
Anthony Young October 01, 2024
An exceptional piece of work.
Olivia Davis
Olivia Davis July 19, 2025
Very good book with useful insights.
Christopher Jackson
Christopher Jackson May 21, 2024
Very informative yet entertaining at the same time.
Brandon Green
Brandon Green January 26, 2024
A brilliant work that keeps you engaged every page.
Jonathan Wright
Jonathan Wright February 15, 2025
The author did an outstanding job explaining complex ideas clearly.
Michael Brown
Michael Brown August 08, 2025
An exceptional piece of work.
Christopher Jackson
Christopher Jackson November 30, 2025
A powerful story that stays with you long after reading.
Charlotte Martin
Charlotte Martin January 15, 2025
It completely changed my perspective.
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Justin Baker December 10, 2024
This book truly stands out among others in its category.
Kevin Perez
Kevin Perez January 25, 2024
An unforgettable reading experience from start to finish.
Matthew Anderson
Matthew Anderson September 05, 2025
Informative but could be shorter.
Amelia White
Amelia White June 02, 2024
Solid content and clear writing.
Abigail Rodriguez
Abigail Rodriguez April 18, 2024
Worth reading for sure.
Daniel Wilson
Daniel Wilson February 14, 2024
A powerful story that stays with you long after reading.
Joseph Clark
Joseph Clark October 08, 2025
Very informative yet entertaining at the same time.
Mia Moore
Mia Moore September 17, 2025
Worth reading for sure.
Matthew Anderson
Matthew Anderson March 01, 2024
Fair and balanced read.
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