Devil In A White City Summary Quiz

Character Overviews and Book Summary

• "Devil In A White City" is a literary nonfiction novel intertwining the stories of architect Daniel Burnham and serial killer H.H. Holmes in Chicago during the late 19th century.
• Key characters include Burnham, Root (Burnham's partner), Olmsted (landscape architect), and Holmes (the antagonist).

Chicago World's Fair

• The Chicago World's Fair, also known as the World's Columbian Exposition, was built in 1893 to commemorate Columbus's arrival in America.
• The location of the fair was Jackson Park, selected in 1890, amidst competition from cities like New York and St. Louis.
• Burnham faced multiple challenges during construction, including economic decline, strikes, injuries, and competition from the Eiffel Tower.

Daniel Burnham

• Burnham was appointed chief of construction for the fair and was responsible for its overall design.
• He had a limited formal education but was determined and self-motivated, previously having failed admission tests to Yale and Harvard.
• He designed the first skyscraper in America, called the Montauk, with Root.

H.H. Holmes

• Holmes, a psychopathic doctor and serial killer, arrived in Chicago in 1886, pretending to be a respectable businessman.
• He purchased a pharmacy in Englewood, strategically located near the fairgrounds, and later acquired a lot to build a hotel meant for murdered victims.
• His building was designed with secret passages for disposing of bodies, contributing to the horrors associated with his crimes.

Key Events and Developments

• The opening of the fair in 1893 faced lingering challenges such as boosting attendance and profitability, which Burnham managed to overcome successfully.
• The fair concluded tragically when Chicago's mayor, Carter Henry Harrison, was assassinated shortly after its closing.
• Holmes evaded capture by fleeing Chicago but was eventually arrested in Philadelphia for insurance fraud.

Character Dynamics

• Root, Burnham's partner, died before the fair's completion, leaving Burnham to continue alone.
• While Burnham handled public relations and business aspects, Root was the architectural genius behind their firm.
• Holmes's relationships were marked by deceit; he married multiple women under false pretenses and was involved in various fraudulent activities.

Post-Fair Impact

• The Chicago World's Fair significantly improved the city's global reputation and showcased architectural innovations, including Burnham's iconic Ferris Wheel, designed to rival the Eiffel Tower.
• The narrative reflects the duality of ambition and horror in a burgeoning America, with the fair symbolizing progress while Holmes's crimes highlighted societal dark sides.

Additional Context

• The story begins aboard the RMS Olympic in April 1912, a significant date as it coincides with the sinking of the Titanic.
• The backdrop of 1800s Chicago experienced frequent tragedies from disease, fires, accidents, and murders, highlighting the chaotic environment leading up to the fair.
• Architectural teams from the East Coast were initially unimpressed with the fair's site, emphasizing the contrasting views of both local and external talent in shaping Chicago's legacy.

Test your knowledge on 'Devil In A White City' with this comprehensive quiz. Explore character overviews, the historical context of the Chicago World's Fair, and the type of novel this masterpiece represents. Perfect for fans and readers looking to deepen their understanding of this literary work.