Doctor of Mysterious Deeds: The Curious Case of Robert Fleming

Dr. Robert Fleming lived a life as layered and opaque as the lead veins he once mined. Born in South Carolina to an Irish immigrant family, Fleming carved an unconventional path through antebellum America — navigating the volatile frontiers of the politics of slavery and mineral wealth. His adventurous yet obscure life came to a sudden halt when he died shortly after purchasing the Lee-Fendall House. In collaboration with his direct descendants, this lecture will delve into Fleming’s ties to the Lee family, his complex activities during the Civil War, his role as an enslaver, and his premature demise at this historic structure.

Madeline Feierstein is an Alexandria, VA historian specializing in psychiatric institutions, hospitals, and prisons. A native of Washington, D.C., her work has been showcased across the Capital Region. As Lead Historian for the Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, Madeline leads efforts to document the sick, injured, and imprisoned soldiers that passed through Civil War Alexandria. Additionally, she supports the National Museum of Civil War Medicine and interprets the burials in Alexandria’s historically rich cemeteries with Gravestone Stories. Madeline holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from George Mason University and a Master’s in American History from Southern New Hampshire University. Explore her research at www.madelinefeierstein.com.

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