MBL Falmouth Forum: “The Poisoner’s Guide to Life” with Deborah Blum, Science Journalist/Author

For more than 30 years, the Falmouth Forum, presented by the Friends of the MBL, has brought free cultural enrichment to our community. This season will feature captivating speakers that will deliver powerful talks with a wide range of subjects. Lectures are free and open to the public for in-person and virtual attendance. Free parking is available in any MBL lot. No registration required for in-person attendance. Doors open at 7 PM, lectures start at 7:30 PM.

A book signing will follow the presentation.

This talk will explore the historical use of poisons in murder, examining the ethical decisions societies make when allowing lethal compounds to be widely accessible for economic reasons. It will also delve into how killers, particularly female poisoners—the focus of the author’s upcoming book—have exploited this availability. Additionally, the talk will highlight the efforts of scientists to detect the use of poisonous substances and leverage that knowledge to bring perpetrators to justice.

Deborah Blum is a Pulitzer Prize-winning science journalist and author, currently serving as the director of the Knight Science Journalism Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Her recent works focus on toxicology and the presence of poisonous compounds in daily life. Notable titles include “The Poisoner’s Handbook,” a national bestseller, and “The Poison Squad,” recognized as a New York Times Notable Book; both have been adapted into PBS documentaries. Blum’s writings have appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Wired, Scientific American, and Science magazine. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a lifetime associate of the National Academy of Sciences, honored for her contributions to science communication.

An optional buffet dinner precedes each Falmouth Forum lecture.
6:00 PM: Swope Center, 5 North Street, Woods Hole
Tickets: $40/each or reserve a table of eight
Purchase tickets in advance at: https://www.eventsquid.com/event.cfm?id=25623.

Registration for the dinners close one week prior to the event.
We regret that no tickets will be sold at the door.