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Professor Jennifer Van Horn's research on George Washington's dentures was featured in "Were George Washington's Teeth Taken from Enslaved People?" on JSTOR Daily last week. In addition to his own teeth, Washington's dentures contained cow, horse, hippopotamus, and possibly, the teeth of enslaved people. Although the exact circumstances are unknown, historians believe Washington purchased nine teeth from enslaved African Americans in 1784. According to Van Horn, using the teeth of enslaved people in dentures was not uncommon. In her article, "George Washington's Dentures: Disability, Deception, and the Republican Body," Van Horn explains why and how Washington hid the state of his oral health during his presidency.
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1/15/2021 12:30 PM
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Professor Jennifer Van Horn's research on George Washington's dentures was featured in a JSTOR Daily article last week.
3/6/2020