Elizabeth Van Lew | |
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| Born | October 12, 1818 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Died | September 25, 1900 (aged 81) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Resting place | Shockoe Hill Cemetery 37.551816, -77.432016 |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Espionage during the American Civil War |
Elizabeth Van Lew (October 12, 1818 – September 25, 1900) was an American abolitionist, Southern Unionist, and philanthropist who recruited and acted as the primary handler an extensive spy ring for the Union Army in the Confederate capital of Richmond during the American Civil War. Many false claims continue to be made about her life. The single most reliable source is a 2002 biography by University of Virginia professor Elizabeth R. Varon.[1]
- ^ "Southern Lady, Yankee Spy - Paperback - Elizabeth R. Varon - Oxford University Press". global.oup.com. Retrieved 2022-07-17.