But research does not stop at a library door. I’m also grateful to those individuals who kindly helped with various elements of my dogged digging, including Mike Draper, Levi Bridges, Pastor Chrystal Abbott, Judy Kulp, Greg Olson, Al Shaw, Penny Vagg, Beth Gribble, Liz Mossop, Anna Beeton, the unwitting real estate agent who showed me around Theophilus’s childhood home, and Julian Moldovan and Christine Rutledge at Rosehill Cemetery. Enormous thanks, too, to Elizabeth’s relatives who assisted me, including Lynn Barker and most especially Judy Domhoff Stenovich, whose enthusiasm and support for this project are priceless. Thank you so much, Judy. I hope I did her justice.
I’d also like to thank author Karen Abbott and creative supremo Lin-Manuel Miranda. Their own historical works inspired me endlessly during this project, showing me how it’s done.
This was a hard book to write, and I’d have struggled without a dream team behind me. I’d like to thank my literary agent, Simon Lipskar of Writers House, and his assistant, Celia J. Taylor Mobley, for their thoughtful guidance as we embarked together on this new journey. Thanks also to my dramatic rights agent, Joel Gotler, for his wonderful passion and support.
Closer to home, I am the luckiest to have a loving, supportive family always cheerleading me. Thank you Mum, Dad, Penny, Sarah, and the whole gang. A special thank-you to Mackenzie for his patience and for being so chill. And thank you to my friends for always seeming interested in the story so far!
There is one man without whom I would be lost, however. One man who keeps the show on the road, who is always willing to read one more version, who gives superb creative feedback with wisdom, insight, and understanding. One man who is able to reach me when my head is under the duvet and I’m despairing of finding a way forward, who is also by my side to see the smiles when it goes right.
Thank you, Duncan. I love you.
Finally, thank you to Elizabeth Packard. What a woman. I hope I’ve done enough to make you proud—of everything that you achieved.
Kate Moore
London, 2020