Who Was Jack the Ripper?
MAYHEW, HENRY (1812–1887), English author and journalist, son of a London solicitor, was born in 1812. He was sent to Westminster school, but ran away to sea. He sailed to India, and on his return studied law for a short time under his father. He began his journalistic career by founding, with Gilbert à Beckett, …
One thing united the murdered: Jack the Ripper’s victims were all prostitutes. In Victorian London, prostitution was rampant. Some have speculated that the Ripper was motivated by hatred of prostitutes borne of disease, but whilst this cannot be proven, what can be said is the prostitute class, wandering the streets at unsociable hours, often intoxicated, …
The Society was founded in 1802 by William Wilberforce following a Royal Proclamation by George III in 1787 (the Proclamation for the Discouragement of Vice). The Obscene Publications Act came into force in September 1857, superseding the 1787 Proclamation. One effect of the Act was to forbid the distribution of information about contraception and human …
In Ripperology, “The Nichol” slum is associated with the “Old Nichol Gang,” believed by some to be responsible for the attack on Emma Smith on April 3, 1888, who subsequently died of her injuries. Contemporary Descriptions of “the Nichol” With few exceptions, each room contains a separate family; some consisting of mother, father, and eight …