Elizabeth Van Lew

American Spy and Activist

Elizabeth Van Lew was a wealthy Southern belle who became a prominent figure in the Union's espionage efforts during the American Civil War. She was born in 1818 in Richmond, Virginia, and grew up in a wealthy family. Van Lew was known for her intelligence, wit, and charm, and she used these qualities to build a network of spies and informants in the Confederate capital. She was a key figure in the Union's efforts to...