Meet The PBS History Detectives

Gwendolyn Wright is Professor of architecture at Columbia University and also holds appointments in Columbia’s departments of history and art history. Gwendolyn is one of the most-respected thinkers in her field. And when the history detectives started working together, the team quickly learned to take full advantage of her mental acuity. When the search for evidence hits a roadblock (and every investigation eventually does) the team relies on Gwendolyn to come up with well-reasoned suggestions and alternative strategies. The detective most likely to think outside the box, Gwendolyn is particularly adept at organizing the clues and weighing the evidence. Even when there's a break in the investigative action, some corner of her brain will still be sifting the puzzle pieces in search of solutions.

America has a long history of social upheaval and cultural mood swings. These shifts leave clear signs of their passing. The trick is knowing how to read the signs, and interpret their meaning. Tukufu Zuberi is an authority on the subject. Under his scrutiny, even subtle signs can yield vital evidence about the events at a mystery's core. He also provides the team with a context for their work, relating descriptive accounts of living conditions in that particular place, at that particular time. Being aware of the social issues, pressures, and problems of the day can sometimes help the team determine the triggers of a past event, and the motives of the people involved.