The Mystery Professor

This is the true story of Paul Arthur Crafton who in 1983 was dubbed The Mystery Professor by the media in the Eastern States of America. Although genuinely qualified with a Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering he taught at three Universities at the same time under three assumed names. There were certainly more as his deception was found to have been continous since 1979 or earlier as the FBI investigation got under way. He was initially uncovered as lying about his name and qualifications following the chance discovery of an article written by his real namesake for an Australian University. He was arrested as Peter H Pearse at Millersville University and then as John B Hext at Shippensburg University. Unsure of his real identity his arrest was published in the media which led to more higher education authorities recognising him as having taught for them but under a different name. His professional duplicity was mirrored by his personal life when materials for identity theft were found in one of his many apartments and then his womanising was also uncovered. Those involved in the investigation asked themselves why such an educated man would assume the career of a white collar criminal adept at creating so many false identities. Why would anyone accept the burden of travel between States and cities and at the same time try and disguise his lack of deep knowedge in the subjects he taught. Craftons defence was always that it was to pay for the medical treatment for his daughter who was severely disabled. What arises from this real detective story is a man dedicated to his family but also a man of so many talents that eventually led to the very public uncovering and dissection of his professional and private life. The police investigation was published in the national media and a long prison sentence was mitigated following a complicated plea bargain with the Office of the Attorney General.