The files on executions in America compiled by noted historian M Watt Espy, Jr are to become part of the National Death Penalty Archive located at the State University of New York at Albany. The Espy collection, entitled “Executions in America,” documents more than 15,000 executions in the United states dating back to 1608 and colonial Jamestown. Among the unique materials are handwritten ledgers with an alphabetical listing of executed individuals by state and by date from the 1600’s through 1995 and over 1,000 books. This valuable resource was collected through Watt Espy’s personal travel throughout the country and his detailed and extensive labor on the project over many years.

The University at Albany’s National Death Penalty Archive was initiated by the School of Criminal Justice’s Capital Punishment Research Initiative. They are hosting an event on September 26 at the University to welcome the collection to their archive and acknowledging the importance of the newly acquired materials and research. Among those who will be speaking are Charles Lanier, Director, University at Albany Capital Punishment Research Initiative; New York State Assemblymember John J. McEneny, 104th Assembly District; Michael Radelet, Chair, Sociology Department, University of Colorado; and William Bowers, Director, Capital Jury Project, University at Albany.

University of Albany’s National Death Penalty Archive “Executions in America” Event Program. Portions of the Espy File are available on DPIC’s Web site: see Espy Files and History of the Death Penalty.