Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University, was likely murdered in 1905 after surviving a previous poisoning attempt. The podcast explores the financial and power struggles at the university, the mysterious circumstances of Jane's death, and potential police corruption in the investigation.
Jane Stanford's death by poisoning suggests foul play and a possible murder mystery.
Internal conflicts at Stanford University highlight power struggles and challenges with academic freedom.
Deep dives
The Stanford Family and the Gilded Age
During the Gilded Age spanning 1870s-1890s, the wealthy elite like the Stanfords earned fortunes through industries like railroads and oil, often engaging in controversial practices to eliminate competition. Leland Stanford, a successful businessman, pivoted to politics and was instrumental in the Central Pacific Railroad. Jane Stanford, from a wealthy background herself, supported Leland's ventures, leading to complexities around their wealth and societal status.
Tragic Loss and Founding Stanford University
The Stanfords' only child, Leland Jr., tragically died during a grand European tour at 15, leaving them devastated. In their grief, Jane sought solace in the spiritualist movement, believing she communicated with her deceased son. This experience inspired Jane and Leland Sr. to establish a university in Leland Jr.'s honor, leading to the inception of Stanford University with innovative educational ideals focusing on practical applications.
Internal Struggles at Stanford University
After founding Stanford University, internal conflicts arose between Jane Stanford and President David Starr Jordan over academic freedom and faculty appointments. Jane's interference in academic matters and the controversial dismissal of Professor Edward Ross stirred faculty discontent and posed challenges for the university's stability. Despite efforts to manage the tumultuous relationship, the situation escalated, leading to distrust and power struggles.
Attempted Poisoning and Unraveling Mystery
Jane Stanford's near-fatal poisoning with strychnine raised suspicions and questions about potential motives for harming her. Despite surviving the poisoning, the incident uncovered underlying tensions and potential adversaries within the university's environment. The podcast hints at a murder mystery surrounding Jane Stanford, police corruption, suspect pool, and unresolved findings linked to her demise, setting the stage for a compelling investigation and unsettling revelations in the upcoming episode.
Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University, died on her Hawaii vacation in 1905 after drinking from a bottle of mineral water that had been laced with pure strychnine. The university president, David Starr Jordan, claimed she died of ‘natural causes,’ though Jane had survived an attempt on her life only weeks prior after drinking from a different mineral water that was found to contain rat poison. No one really believed she died naturally. And while some conjectured that Jane decided to die by suicide on that Hawaii getaway, there is far more evidence to suggest that Jane was murdered. But who actually poisoned her has never been solved.
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Follow Campus Killings on Social Media; Twitter & Facebook Campus Killings is hosted by Dr. Meghan Sacks and Dr. Amy Shlosberg. Research and Writing by Abagail Belcastro Produced by Mike Morford of AbJack Entertainment Be sure to listen to Amy and Meghan's other podcasts: Women and Crime & Direct Appeal
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