What is a Historian?

[RJNorton]

IMO, one characteristic of a true historian is that he or she follows the trail of evidence no matter where it leads, even if it leads in a direction that goes against their own beliefs. If I recall correctly this is what happened with Kate Larson. She began her Mary Surratt book thinking it would be a book that would show Mary's innocence. But, as Kate followed the trail of evidence, the book turned out quite differently from her own pre-conceived notion regarding Mary's case.