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The Rest Is HistorySeptember 17, 2025
601. Scandal in the White House
About This Episode
Who was Grover Cleveland, and why is he one of the most controversial American Presidents of all time? Why was the run up to his first term, in 1884 at the height of the Gilded Age, so pivotal to American politics? How did he rocket to the heights of political power? What dark secrets began swirling about his disreputable past, and character? Did he really seduce a young widow by the name of Maria Crofts Halpin, impregnate her, and then lock her in a mental asylum? What became of their alleged child? And, how did this shocking scandal unfold? Join Dominic and Tom as they investigate one of the most lurid stories in all American political history - a tale of lust, lies, deviance and kidnapping, but also immense political significance. What is the truth behind this mystery? ______ Try Adobe Express for free now at https://www.adobe.com/uk/express/spotlight/designwithexpress?sdid=HM85WZZV&mv=display&mv2=ctv or by searching in the app store. Learn more at https://uber.com/onourway Visit theweek.com/rest and enter code HISTORY to claim your six-week free trial, plus an extra 10% saving on all subscription packages ______ Join The Rest Is History Club: Unlock the full experience of the show – with exclusive bonus episodes, ad-free listening, early access to every series and live show tickets, a members-only newsletter, discounted books from the show, and access to our private Discord chatroom. Sign up directly at therestishistory.com For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett + Aaliyah Akude Video Producer: Jack Meek Social Producer: Harry Balden
Book Mentions
5 book mentions in this episode.
Jump to booksTip: Click “Mentioned at …” to copy a timestamp.
Tip: Click a cover image to open a book link.
Books Mentioned
The Moonstone
Wilkie Collins
“This story often reads like a saga of lust and lies and kidnapping and rape that is worthy of a Victorian sensational novel, similar to The Moonstone.”
ASIN: N/A
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“There's a book by a guy called Charles Lackman, A Secret Life, The Lies and Scandals of President Grover Cleveland, which goes into this in great detail.”
ASIN: 1620870967
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“The speaker references Wilkie Collins, suggesting that the impression they have is contrary to the situation being discussed.”
ASIN: N/A
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A Man of Iron
Troy Sinek
“The most recent biography of Cleveland is by a guy called Troy Sinek. It's called A Man of Iron, and it was published in 2022.”
ASIN: B09KZCDTR5
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“the villain of The Woman in White, his salient feature is that he's very fat.”
ASIN: N/A
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