George Wythe: Murder, Law, and the Republic

George Wythe: Murder, Law, and the Republic reveals the gripping true story of Thomas Jefferson's mentor, America's first law professor, and the shocking 1806 murder that exposed the fragile pursuit of justice in the early Republic.

Discover how George Wythe helped shape the minds that built America, advanced the rule of law, and left behind a legacy far greater than his name recognition today.

In this episode of America's Founding Series on The P.A.S. Report Podcast, Professor Nick Giordano tells the story of George Wythe, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and the legal mentor to Thomas Jefferson. Often overlooked, Wythe was one of the most consequential figures of the Founding era, influencing John Marshall, James Monroe, and Henry Clay.

This episode explores Wythe's role in shaping the American legal tradition, his early defense of judicial review, and his moral evolution on the issue of slavery. It also examines the chilling poisoning case that turned his final days into a haunting story of betrayal and a failed search for justice.

What You'll Learn:

• The Architect of Minds: How George Wythe shaped Thomas Jefferson and the next generation of American statesmen.
• The Power of the Law: Why Wythe was one of the earliest defenders of constitutional limits and the rule of law.
• A Moral Evolution: How Wythe's views on slavery changed and why his actions set him apart from the Virginia elite.
• The Arsenic Coffee: The details of the 1806 poisoning that killed Wythe and Michael Brown.
• The Tragic Trial: Why the law Wythe loved was unable to convict his killer, and why his story still matters today.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration of Independence, judicial review, early American history, and the forgotten figures who helped build the United States.

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Timestamps

• 01:32 Founding Patriot George Wythe Poisoned
• 02:41 The Household and Betrayal
• 03:49 George Wythe's Influence
• 06:04 Mentorship of Thomas Jefferson
• 08:48 Judicial Philosophy, Legal Reforms and Contributions
• 12:32 George Wythe's Moral Evolution
• 14:13 The Murder and Trial
• 15:01 What We Can Learn From George Wythe's Life

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