The Murder of Little Mary Phagan(2025 Edition) by Mary Phagan Kean
In September 2025, an important milestone has been reached with the release of Mary Phagan Kean’s newly revised and expanded edition of The Murder of Little Mary Phagan. The launch takes place during the 112th anniversary of Leo Frank’s conviction on August 25, 1913, and carries forward a long effort to preserve truth and historical accuracy surrounding one of the most talked about trials in American history.
Mary Phagan Kean is the grand-niece and namesake of 13-year-old Mary Phagan, who was murdered in 1913. For decades she has dedicated herself to collecting, researching, and safeguarding the original trial records, newspaper coverage, and appeal documents. This new 2025 edition is not just a reprint. It is a carefully expanded work that now runs more than 500 pages and provides readers with a clearer view of the events and the evidence.
Highlights of the 2025 Edition
- Revised chapters with fresh insights into the trial, appeals, and aftermath
- Expanded primary sources including rare clippings, trial transcripts, and legal records brought together in one volume
- Added historical commentary that places the 1913 trial within the culture and politics of early 20th-century Atlanta
- Legacy-focused mission with all proceeds supporting the Mary Phagan Kean Legacy Project, which is digitizing more than 1,800 pages of Georgia Supreme Court records, producing audiobooks, and creating an online archive for students, journalists, and historians
Why This Book Matters
The Leo Frank case has remained a subject of debate and controversy for more than a century. It has been the focus of books, plays, and films, but many of those accounts have drifted away from the original sources. Kean’s book brings the focus back to the record itself, giving readers the chance to examine the facts without distortion.
At a time when history is often rewritten or simplified, this new edition serves as a reminder of how important it is to protect original evidence and make it widely available.
Where to Find It
The 2025 edition of The Murder of Little Mary Phagan is now available for purchase online through the author’s official platforms, with wider distribution to libraries and bookstores planned in the future.