Eric Muenter
American would-be assassin (1871–1915) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Eric Muenter (March 25, 1871 – July 6, 1915), also known as Erich Münter, Erich Muenter, Erich Holt or Frank Holt, was a German-American political terrorist, activist, spy, professor and would-be assassin. Although employed as a German professor at elite American universities, he was actually a spy and a "fanatic in the clandestine service of the Imperial German government."[1] While an instructor at Harvard University, he poisoned and killed his pregnant wife.
Eric Muenter | |
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Born | (1871-03-25)March 25, 1871 |
Died | July 6, 1915(1915-07-06) (aged 44) Mineola, New York, U.S. |
Cause of death | Suicide by jumping |
Other names |
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Occupation | Professor of German |
Known for |
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He appeared as Cornell University professor Frank Holt who contacted the German spy network which undertook to sabotage US aid to the war in Europe against Germany. In 1915, he planted a bomb that exploded in the US Capitol, shot Jack Morgan, son of financier J. P. Morgan in his home, and predicted the bombing of a steamship bound for England before committing suicide while in police custody. His activities, and those of other Germans, were played up by the press as "Hun barbarity"; anti-German feelings rose in the years as America eventually entered the war with Germany.[2]