A new biography of Clarence Darrow by John A. Farrell chronicles the life of this famous American lawyer, known for his eloquence in defending unpopular clients and in securing reprieves for those condemned to death. He won life sentences for Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, whose crimes of kidnapping and murder had garnered national attention. He often spoke publicly about his opposition to capital punishment. Darrow had many famous clients during his career, including union leader Eugene Debs in the Pullman strike case, and John Scopes in the famous “Monkey Trial” regarding the teaching of evolution, where he argued against Willam Jennings Bryan.

(J. Farrell, “Clarence Darrow: Attorney for the Damned,” Doubleday, 2011). See more Books on the death penalty.