Death and Robert Todd Lincoln

robert todd lincoln

Abraham Lincoln's eldest son, Robert, is the subject of a grim coincidence in American history: He's the only person known to have been present or nearby at the assassinations of three American presidents. In the latest Futility Closet podcast we'll describe the circumstances of each misfortune and explore some further coincidences regarding Robert's brushes with fatality.

We'll also consider whether a chimpanzee deserves a day in court and puzzle over why Australia would demolish a perfectly good building.