American Civil War Biographies | Elizabeth Van Lew Biography

Born October 12, 1818
Richmond, Virginia
Died September 25, 1900
Richmond, Virginia

Union spy known as "Crazy Bet"

Escaped detection by pretending
to be a harmless eccentric

Elizabeth Van Lew was a wealthy and refined (cultured) lady of Richmond, Virginia—the city that became the Confederate capital during the Civil War. Her neighbors called her "Crazy Bet" and laughed at her strange behavior. But she only pretended to be eccentric (odd or peculiar). In fact, she was a cunning and highly effective spy for the Union. She sent valuable information to the North through the entire course of the war, and she also helped numerous Union soldiers escape from Southern prisons.

Supports the abolition of slavery

Elizabeth Van Lew was born in Richmond in 1818....