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1-Page Summary of The Devil In the White City
Overall Summary
The Devil in the White City is a historical thriller that explores two men who played major roles at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago: Daniel Hudson Burnham, an architect, and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer. The book contrasts their stories of success versus failure; how modern cities provide anonymity; gender roles during this time period; and how Burnham had a team of people to help him with his work while Holmes was isolated from others.
Burnham and Root were chosen to design the 1893 World Exposition. They had to compete with the Eiffel Tower in Paris, which was built for the 1889 fair. When Root died of pneumonia at age 41, Burnham took over his role as leader of the project. He overcame setbacks such as late drafts from architects, a worldwide recession, and strikes by workers before opening day on May 1st. The exposition was a triumph despite accidents during construction that killed several people.
Burnham and his team of architects finally accept a proposal for the world’s first Ferris Wheel. Delays and storms delay the construction, but they eventually finish it in time for the fair to open. The economy is struggling at this point, so Burnham works with his team to attract record visitor numbers despite not having completed construction on the wheel. They are able to repay their debts before closing down the fair, which was considered a success because of their efforts despite being saddened by Harrison’s assassination
A story is unfolding in Chicago as the World’s Fair takes place. A man arrives and uses a fake name to buy a pharmacy near the fair grounds. He builds an apartment building on his property, but it has hidden passages and chutes for disposing of bodies. The man marries three times, murders many people, but gets away with it because he lives near the World’s Fair site.
Sherlock Holmes’ creditors are growing impatient with his charm and so he flees to Texas. He is eventually arrested for insurance fraud in Philadelphia, which leads to a murder investigation that spans several states. Eventually, Chicago police discover the hotel’s horrors and put Holmes on trial where he is convicted of murder and hanged on May 7th, 1896.
Prologue: “Aboard the Olympic”
Burnham is on the ship, enjoying everything that it has to offer. He was supposed to have been on the Titanic but he missed his chance due to an illness. He reflects back on how they were able to complete the World Columbian Exposition together and how Millet died during that time period. However, Burnham’s focus shifts when he realizes that there are many people in danger of dying aboard the Titanic.
Part 1, Chapter 1: “The Black City”
Chicago in 1890-91 was a dangerous place for young women who were looking for work. During the World’s Fair, murders increased sharply. The serial killer who killed his victims at Sixty-third and Wallace stepped off the train to Chicago.
Part 1, Chapter 2: “‘The Trouble Is Just Begun’”
On February 4, 1890, 2,000 people gathered outside the Chicago Tribune. They were waiting for Washington to announce whether or not Chicago would host a world’s fair. The organizers wanted to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Columbus’ discovery by building a tower that would rival the Eiffel Tower in Paris at that time.
Daniel Burnham was born in 1846, and he later married the daughter of John Sherman, who managed the Union Stock Yards. Burnham’s partner was named John Root. He also married Mary Walker, the daughter of a family friend. However, she died from tuberculosis soon after they were married. Harriet Monroe wrote a poem for them on their wedding day that became popular among people at that time. Root came up with an idea to build tall buildings in Chicago; his firm made a huge impact on the city skyline as it grew richer and more successful over time. When one of their office buildings collapsed, Burnham faced an inquest because he designed it; however, when they announced that they would design Chicago’s World Fair in 1893 (also known as The Columbian Exposition), it marked their greatest achievement ever since “the challenge was monstrous”.
