Elizabeth Van Lew Picture

By Jone Johnson Lewis, About.com Guide

Elizabeth Van Lew - Civil War Spy

Elizabeth Van Lew depicted bringing food to a Union prisoner

Public domain image, from Ten Girls from History, 1917

Quaker-educated Elizabeth Van Lew lived in Richmond during the American Civil War, and used her access to prisoners at the Confederate Libby Prison, and her maid's employment at the Confederate White House, to gain information to pass along to the Union.