Winifred Bennett, the amateur historian who suggested that DNA tests might determine whether Thomas Jefferson fathered children by his slave Sally Hemings, died Oct. 7. She was 71.
Bennett died of kidney failure at her home in Arlington, Va., her daughter, Phoebe, told The New York Times.
Bennett’s suggestion, made casually 10 years ago over dinner at the home of a retired pathologist, led a team of scientists to begin a genetic study of Jefferson and Hemings’ descendants.
Their findings, published in 1998, indicated that a male in the Jefferson family, most likely Thomas Jefferson, fathered at least one of Hemings’ children.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
