Who was responsible for the lynching of Leo Frank?

The lynching of Leo Frank in 1915 was primarily orchestrated by a group known as the Knights of Mary Phagan. This organization was founded by individuals sympathetic to the memory of Mary Phagan, the young girl whose murder was attributed to Frank. The Knights rallied public sentiment against Frank, fueling anti-Semitic sentiments and leading to his eventual lynching by a mob composed largely of their members.

This situation unfolded amidst a highly charged atmosphere of racial and social tensions in Georgia. While other entities, such as local law enforcement, were present during the events surrounding Frank’s trial and eventual fate, they did not play a proactive role in preventing the lynching or addressing the violence adequately. The National Guard, called in during the trial to maintain order, was unable to intervene effectively when the mob acted.

Protesters from Atlanta did express outrage over the treatment of Frank and the trial's outcomes, but they were not the ones who carried out the lynching. Understanding the significant role that the Knights of Mary Phagan played helps illustrate the social dynamics and prejudices that were pervasive in early 20th-century America, particularly surrounding issues of race and ethnicity.