Near Bethlehem in Grafton County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Frances Glessner Lee

(1878-1962)

— “Mother of Forensic Science” —

Frances Glessner Lee Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 22, 2020

1. Frances Glessner Lee Marker

Inscription.
Here at the Rocks, her family's summer estate, this Chicago heiress pursued her passion for criminology in the 1940s-50s with the creation of 20 miniature dioramas depicting actual crime scenes with detailed accuracy. Called the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, the dioramas were based on crime scene statements and photographs, and were used to train homicide detectives. In recognition of her many contributions to forensic science, Glessner Lee was appointed an honorary Captain of the New Hampshire State Police in 1943.

Erected 2018.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Law Enforcement • Science & Medicine • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.

Location. 44° 17.031′ N, 71° 44.106′ W. Marker is near Bethlehem, New Hampshire, in Grafton County. It can be reached from the intersection of Glessner Road and Main Street (U.S. 302), in the median. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 791 Main St, Littleton NH 03561, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Hampshire’s

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White Mountains.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in New England.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Fanny’s Little Playhouse (approx. ¼ mile away); Bethlehem Country Club (approx. 2 miles away); Upland Terrace (approx. 2 miles away); Mount Washington Cemetery (approx. 2 miles away); Strawberry Hill Hotel (approx. 2.1 miles away); P.O.W.-M.I.A. Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bethlehem Hebrew Congregation (approx. 2.1 miles away); Howard House (approx. 2.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethlehem.

Also see . . .
1. Frances Glessner Lee. Wikipedia biography (Submitted on August 22, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

2. "Frances Glessner Lee: Brief life of a forensic miniaturist, 1878-1962". by Laura J. Miller; Harvard Magazine, September-October

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 22, 2020

2. Frances Glessner Lee Marker

2005 (Submitted on August 22, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

3. 18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics. YouTube Video; 1h 7m (Submitted on August 22, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York.)

4. Rocks Estate. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on April 12, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Frances Glessner Lee Marker is Located at The Rocks image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Steve Stoessel, August 22, 2020

3. Frances Glessner Lee Marker is Located at The Rocks

<i>Frances G. Lee and Alan R. Moritz working on furnishing for the Nutshell Studies...</i> image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gil Friedberg (courtesy of Harvard Medical School, Department of Legal Medicine), circa 1948

4. Frances G. Lee and Alan R. Moritz working on furnishing for the Nutshell Studies...

Full title: Frances G. Lee and Alan R. Moritz working on furnishing for the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, circa 1948

Credits. This page was last revised on August 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 820 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 3. submitted on August 23, 2020, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 4. submitted on August 23, 2020. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.