Mary Had a Little Typhoid

Mary Had a Little Typhoid

From American History Hotline by iHeartPodcasts

April 8, 2026 · 40 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the life of Mary Mallon, known as Typhoid Mary, and the implications of being a symptomatic carrier of disease.

And everywhere that Mary went, the typhoid was sure to go. The story of Mary Mallon (AKA Typhoid Mary) is one we're living every day to a small degree: the balance between public safety and personal liberty. Luckily for us, we'll never be imprisoned for being an symptomatic carrier of a disease. Well, never say never.  To learn more about the life of Mary Mallon we call up author Susan Campbell Bartoletti ( Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America ). Why was Mary's story so popular in the early 1900s? And why is her name so familiar even today?    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Guest: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Topics covered

  • public safety
  • personal liberty
  • disease carriers
  • historical figures
  • Typhoid Mary

Keywords

  • Mary Mallon
  • Typhoid Mary
  • public health
  • disease
  • early 1900s
  • personal liberty
  • Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Terrible Typhoid Mary: A True Story of the Deadliest Cook in America

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