Parricide in the United States, 1840–1899

The case of Lizzie Borden stands out in the history of sensational criminal cases, but she was not the only person to be accused of killing her parents. Historically, about two percent of all murders are parricides. This book examines 103 selected cases of individuals charged with parricide—the murder of a father or mother—in the United States in the last half of the 19th century, categorized here by their links to abuse, alcohol, or money, sometimes involving multiple murderers or the deaths of both parents.

Cultural historian Kerry Segrave is the author of dozens of books on such diverse topics as drive-in theaters, lie detectors, jukeboxes, smoking, shoplifting and ticket-scalping. He lives in British Columbia.

Kerry Segrave

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 203
Bibliographic Info: notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2009
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4523-3
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5484-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface      1

1. Sons, Fathers, and Family Abuse      3

2. Sons, Fathers, and Alcohol      20

3. Sons, Fathers, and Money      24

4. Sons, Fathers, and Other Causes      42

5. Sons, Mothers, and Alcohol      65

6. Sons, Mothers, and Money      76

7. Sons, Mothers, and Other Causes      92

8. Daughters and Parents      108

9. Multiple Killers      117

10. Multiple Victims      136

Chapter Notes      173

Bibliography      181

Index      191