David Herold

David Herold (16 June 1842 – 7 July 1865) conspired to kill United States President Abraham Lincoln.

Related Topics:
16 June - 1842 - 7 July - 1865 - United States - President - Abraham Lincoln

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He was born in Maryland, the son of Adam and Mary Porter Herold. He attended Charlotte Hall Academy, where he met John Surratt, who introduced him to John Wilkes Booth.

Related Topics:
John Surratt - John Wilkes Booth

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He guided Lewis Powell (aka Lewis Payne) to the house of Lincoln's Secretary of State William Seward. Another conspirator claimed that Herold was to have killed Vice President Andrew Johnson, but this attack was never carried out.

Related Topics:
Lewis Powell (aka Lewis Payne) - Secretary of State - William Seward - Vice President - Andrew Johnson

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Herold assisted Booth to the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd, where Booth's leg was set. Herold and Booth were surrounded on 26 April 1865, and Booth was shot dead, while Herold surrendered.

Related Topics:
Samuel Mudd - 26 April - 1865

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Herold was tried before a military tribunal (having already admitted his involvement in the assassination conspiracy, his defense was that he was feeble-minded and under undue influence from Booth), and was hanged in Washington, D.C.. He is interred in the Congressional Cemetery there.

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