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Author, Robert E. Lee historian Elizabeth Brown Pryor killed in Grove Avenue crash

Posted at 1:17 PM, Apr 14, 2015
and last updated 2015-04-17 11:53:19-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Police identified the woman killed in Monday afternoon's crash along Grove Avenue as Elizabeth B. Pryor, 64, of the 3200 block of Grove Avenue. The crash happened along the 4400 block of Grove Avenue.

"At approximately 2:45 p.m., Pryor was driving a silver-colored Audi eastbound in the 4400 block of Grove Avenue when the vehicle was struck from behind by a white Mitsubishi Outlander also heading eastbound on Grove Avenue. Pryor died at the scene," Richmond Police advised. "The Richmond Police Department Crash Team is consulting with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office on possible charges to the male driver of the striking vehicle. The man’s name has not yet been released."

Pryor moved to Richmond in 2010, according to the University of Richmond. She was listed as a Course Leader at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute on the UR website.

Elizabeth Pryor books

"Her first major work was a 1987 biography titled Clara Barton, Professional Angel.  Her second, Reading the Man: A Portrait of Robert E. Lee through His Private Letters, led to Elizabeth’s 2008 receipt of the prestigious Lincoln Prize, presented each year for the outstanding non-fiction work related to the Civil War," the university wrote in 2013. "Elizabeth has spoken all over the world on American history and American diplomacy and appears regularly on television programs based on her books."

University of Richmond President Dr. Edward L. Ayers released the following statement on Tuesday:

"The University of Richmond community is saddened to learn of the passing of Elizabeth Pryor. She was a tremendous contributor to several of our programs, most recently speaking on campus about “Reading Other People’s Mail: Thrilling Discoveries by an Archival Addict.”

"She will be remembered fondly."

Detectives asked anyone with any information to call Crash Team Sergeant Scott Jones at 646-1369 or Crime Stoppers at 780-1000.

Friends and family of Ms. Pryor, who would like to share their thoughts and condolences, can do so here.

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