Podcast Summary: Aaron Mahnke's Cabinet of Curiosities – "Tourist Trap" (December 2, 2025)

Episode Overview

In this episode of Cabinet of Curiosities, Aaron Mahnke presents two fascinating tales: the mysterious fake grave of Charlotte Temple—America's first literary antiheroine turned tourist destination—and the bizarre true story of Tarare, the Frenchman whose insatiable hunger turned him into both a medical marvel and an object of horror. Both segments explore curiosity-driven tourism, the line between fact and fiction, and how our collective imagination shapes history.

Segment 1: The Curious Case of Charlotte Temple's Grave

[00:38–06:02]

Main Story

• Mahnke begins by describing how fans often pay homage to their favorite works of fiction, sometimes journeying thousands of miles to sites of literary inspiration—or, in one case, mourning the fictional death of a character.
• In the late 1800s, Trinity Church in New York City boasted its most-visited grave, not of a renowned politician, but Charlotte Temple, the heroine of Susanna Rowson’s 1791 novel A Tale of Truth.
• The novel follows 16-year-old Charlotte, seduced and abandoned in America, whose tragic fate echoed the fledgling nation’s own vulnerability:
  • “At the time, the US was a brand new nation, as wide-eyed and vulnerable as Charlotte herself.” (Aaron Mahnke, 02:28)

Key Points and Insights

• Cultural Resonance: The novel’s popularity—“the US was a brand new nation, as wide-eyed and vulnerable as Charlotte herself. Something about her ordeal... resonated…” (02:28)—carried Charlotte Temple to bestseller status for over 50 years.
• Is the Grave Real?
  • Susanna Rowson claimed her tale was inspired by a real person, though historians doubted it.
  • In the 1850s, a grave for “Charlotte Temple” appeared in Trinity Church’s yard; a groundskeeper confirmed to curious visitors it was the Charlotte Temple’s resting place.
  • The gravestone became a tourist attraction, even more popular than the graves of founding fathers Alexander Hamilton and James Monroe.
• The Hoax Revealed:
  • In 2008, Trinity Archives investigated—lifting the stone, probing the earth—and found no remains, confirming the grave was likely a hoax:
    • “Soon, the team was able to conclude that nobody, and especially not Charlotte Temple, was buried beneath the gravestone. That probably meant the grave was a hoax.” (Mahnke, 04:59)
  • Theories about its creation:
    • It could have been a stonecutter's tribute to a beloved novel.
    • Archivist Catherine Hurwitz suggests it may have been created to capitalize on the new business of tourism in the 1840s.
      • “Hurwitz wonders if the grave was created by someone looking to sell tourism maps with Charlotte’s grave listed as an attraction.” (Mahnke, 05:39)
• Legacy:
  • Despite its fictional roots, Trinity Church keeps the headstone in place, as it has become a story worth preserving—fiction becoming part of historic reality.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “At one point, Charlotte’s grave was the most popular site in Trinity Church. Even more than the graves of founding fathers…” (Mahnke, 04:13)
• “It might be a work of fiction, but just like Charlotte Temple, it’s a good story worth keeping around.” (Mahnke, 06:00)

Segment 2: The Unbelievable Hunger of Tarare

[06:30–11:44]

Main Story

• Mahnke introduces Tarare, a man in 1790s Lyon, France, known for an insatiable appetite and a legendary, bizarre physiology:
  • “The name is thought to be a reference to the loud explosions of cannons… Tarare’s powerful farts reminded people of this sound, and that was actually one of the less remarkable things about him.” (Mahnke, 06:50)
• Tarare could eat anything and everything:
  • “He could down an entire barrel of apples, swallowing each one whole and still be ready for more.” (Mahnke, 07:11)
  • He would eat meat scraps, wood, corks, and even truly revolting substances when desperate—his stomach ballooning out and a foul vapor emanating from him.

Key Points and Insights

• Medical Mystery: After being pressed into service by the French military (he was sent to deliver secret orders by swallowing a box), Tarare’s hunger led to trouble and public disgust.
• Failed Treatment: Doctors tried everything (tobacco, eggs, opium, acids) to suppress his hunger, but nothing worked.
• Tragic End: Tarare died at 26; his internal organs were all oversized and his body was rapidly decaying. Doctors theorize he may have had a rare brain disorder causing extreme hunger, with resulting physical changes as an adaptation—a rare but tragic “medical wonder.”
• Fact vs. Folklore: While well-documented, many rumors about Tarare cannot be substantiated.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The smell was so bad that no one could stand to be within 60 feet of the guy.” (Mahnke, 07:36)
• “It was as if he had rotted away much more quickly than a normal corpse.” (Mahnke, 10:56)
• Memorable closing:
  • “Unlike Tarare’s hunger, I’m guessing that everyone’s curiosity is probably satiated for the day. I want you to be thankful the next time you have a meal and feel full… none of us want to think about this story ever again, especially while we’re eating.” (Mahnke, 11:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Charlotte Temple’s Grave: 00:38–06:02
• Tarare – The Voracious Frenchman: 06:30–11:44

Tone and Style

Aaron Mahnke retains his signature blend of dry wit, succinct narration, and an earnest curiosity for the macabre and bizarre. His delivery oscillates between gently ironic—a wink at the oddities of history—and sincere appreciation for the “good stories” that shape our imagination and tourist maps alike.

Final Thoughts

This episode explores how stories—true, false, or somewhere in between—shape our destinations, our legends, and our sense of wonder. Whether it’s mourning a fictional heroine or recoiling at a human stomach’s infinite capacity, Mahnke invites listeners to stay curious about the strange corners of our collective past.

Notable Quotes:

• “It might be a work of fiction, but just like Charlotte Temple, it’s a good story worth keeping around.” (06:00, Aaron Mahnke)
• “Unlike Tarare’s hunger, I’m guessing that everyone’s curiosity is probably satiated for the day...” (11:16, Aaron Mahnke)