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On his deathbed, President Chester Arthur ordered that all of his personal and professional papers be burned. Three barrels of documents went up in flames. But 23 letters survived, initialed only “J.I.S.” Comedian Elliott Kalan joins Roman Mars to tell the story of how a politician who owed so much to a corrupt government system became the one to dismantle it, thanks to one woman: Julia Isabella Sand. It’s the story of how a woman no one had ever heard of helped transform a president few remember, and in the process created the American government as we know it.
A History of the United States in 100 Objects is a production of 99% Invisible and BBC Studios.
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This episode is hosted and curated by Roman Mars, and produced by Priscilla Alabi. Series producers are Brenna Daldorph and Ellie Lightfoot. Associate producer is Isaac Fisher. This series was edited by Annie Brown and Courtney Harrell. Mixing by Charlie Brandon-King. Fact-checking by Amy Bracken. Theme song by Swan Real. Executive producers are Annie Brown, Courtney Harrell, and Kathy Tu. Production coordinator is Shan Palay. Production manager is Mabel Finnegan Wright. Artwork by Stefan Lawrence.