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Commonwealth Club of California Podcast

Gary Krist: Love, Murder, and Madness in Gilded-Age San Francisco

Mar 25, 2025
Join Gary Krist, author of "Trespassers at the Golden Gate," as he unravels the scandalous tale of Laura Fair, who shot her lover A.P. Crittenden amidst the chaos of Gilded Age San Francisco. Explore how the city's transformation during the Gold Rush intersected with issues of femininity and madness, spotlighting early courtroom dramas and societal perceptions of women. Krist shares riveting details from the trial that captivated the nation, illustrating the complexities of love, crime, and the relentless pursuit of reinvention.
01:10:27

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Laura Fair's murder of A.P. Crittenden became a sensational trial that ignited national debates on gender roles and societal expectations.
  • The shift in San Francisco's image from a lawless frontier to a respectable city significantly influenced the community's reaction to Fair's crime.

Deep dives

The Dramatic Tale of Laura D. Fair

Laura D. Fair became embroiled in one of San Francisco's most sensational murder cases when she shot her lover, A.P. Crittenden, on a crowded ferry in 1870. This brazen act occurred in front of Crittenden's wife and children, igniting a media frenzy that captivated the nation. The case raised critical discussions about gender roles, marital fidelity, and societal expectations. Fair's volatile relationship with Crittenden and the ensuing trial highlighted the profound changes in societal norms following the Civil War.

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