Ep38 High Strangeness - the Jersey Devil with Brian Regal

Unveiling the Jersey Devil: History, Myths, and Legends with Dr. Brian Regal

In this episode of High Strangeness, host Tony dives into the fascinating and eerie lore of the Jersey Devil with special guest Dr. Brian Regal, a historian from Kean University. Dr. Regal shares his research and insights into the origins of this legendary creature, debunking myths and exploring historical facts. The discussion delves into the Leeds family's connection to the tale, Benjamin Franklin's role in spreading the legend, and how the story has evolved over time. They also touch upon other intriguing topics such as colonial America's monster-filled folklore, cross-dressing governors, and more. This episode offers a captivating look at how history and folklore intertwine, revealing the complex layers behind one of America's most enduring legends.

00:00 Welcome to High Strangeness

00:46 Introducing the Jersey Devil

01:14 Meet Dr. Brian Riegel

02:37 Brian's Journey and Early Life

06:22 The Jersey Devil: Fact or Fiction?

21:53 The Real Story Behind the Jersey Devil

30:48 Quakers' Journey to America

31:08 Founding of Burlington

34:27 Daniel Leeds' Philosophical Pursuits

35:39 Conflict with the Quakers

37:03 The Leeds Almanac Controversy

43:11 Legacy of the Leeds Family

46:11 The Jersey Devil Legend

47:39 The Dime Museum Hoax

52:27 Lord Cornberry: The Cross-Dressing Governor

56:08 Ben Franklin vs. The Leeds Almanac

58:31 Monsters and Myths in Early America

01:01:31 Upcoming Projects and Final Thoughts

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Website: Highstrangenesshow.com

Author-

Brian Regal, PhD, FLS

Professor for the History of Science, Technology and Medicine

https://sites.google.com/a/kean.edu/brian-regal-phd/