The Murder That Shocked 19th Century Boston | Dr. George Parkman, 1849

The Murder That Shocked 19th Century Boston | Dr. George Parkman, 1849 In 1849 Boston, the disappearance of wealthy benefactor George Parkman led to a gruesome discovery inside the Harvard Medical College. Professor John White Webster, cornered by debilitating debt, was convicted of murdering Parkman after forensic dental evidence identified dismembered remains in his laboratory furnace. This historic case established legal precedents for reasonable doubt and the use of scientific testimony in American courtrooms. Related Sources: Harvard Medical College historical case records5 The Webster Charge legal documentation by Chief Justice Lemuel Shaw6 Boston newspaper archives from 1849–18507 Forensic dental records from Nathan Cooley Keep Hashtags: #TrueCrimeHistory #HarvardScandal #ForensicScience #19thCenturyCrime #LegalHistory #GeorgeParkman #JohnWebster