Learn about Dr. Samuel A.
Mudd Elementary School
Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School is located in the community of Waldorf, MD 20601. The school is named for Dr. Samuel A. Mudd. He was born in Charles County, Maryland on December 20, 1833. Mudd attended public schools in Charles County. He then attended college at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. After completing college, Samuel Mudd went received a medical degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He then returned to Charles County to practice medicine and run the family farm. Dr. Mudd married his childhood sweetheart, Sarah Dyer. The couple had nine children.
On April 15, 1865, Dr. Mudd set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth. Both had just shot President Abraham Lincoln hours before at Ford’s Theater in Washington. Booth stayed for 12 hours at Dr. Mudd’s house and then proceeded south into Virginia. Several days later, Dr. Mudd was arrested and charged with conspiracy in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. He was tried along with the other conspirators. Mudd was sentenced to life imprisonment narrowly averting the death penalty by just one vote. He was sent to Fort Jefferson Prison on Dry Tortagus Island in the Florida Keys. In 1867, a yellow fever broke out at the prison and Dr. Mudd helped save many lives during this epidemic. This was despite the fact that, he too, had contracted the disease. A petition was signed by all of the troops at the prison citing his outstanding efforts in saving many lives. Early in 1869, President Andrew Johnson signed the pardon releasing Dr. Mudd from prison.
He came home to Charles County and regained his medical practice. Dr. “Sam”, as he was affectionately known, settled in to a quiet life on the farm. He contracted pneumonia and died on January 10, 1883 at the age of 49. However, his story does not end there. For over 130 years, his descendants have fought to have his name cleared from all charges. The debate continues to this day. Despite statements by both President Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan of their belief in his innocence, only the Army can overturn his conviction.