The home of Lucy Clark was decorated with all the trappings of an illustrious career – Dresden china, antiques, fine clothing and jewellery. Pride of place on the mantelpiece was a signed portrait of Lady Lonsdale, Gladys Lowther, the daughter of Sidney Herbert, the late Conservative MP and supporter of… You must be a paid […]
Category Archives: 1888
Year of the Ripper: Mabel Spickernell
Just as the late 20th century was revolutionised by the emergence of the internet, the Victorian era benefited from advances in long-distance communication using telegraphy. At the forefront of this technology was the Submarine Telegraph Company, who in 1850 had laid the first copper cable across the English Channel. Over… You must be a paid […]
Year of the Ripper: Thomas Hare
At the age of 71, Major Thomas Hare must have thought he would be able to spend the rest of his days in peaceful retirement at his home in Surbiton. The former soldier, who served in the Irish 27th ‘Inniskillings’ foot regiment and the Cape Mounted Rifles in South Africa,… You must be a paid […]
Year of the Ripper: Margaret White
When James White battered his 67-year-old wife Margaret to death with a poker, one newspaper reported the case under the headline: ‘Warnings for “nagging wives” and brutal husbands!’. This inaccurate summary could never explain why their 41-year marriage ended in murder. The couple had raised a son and a daughter… You must be a paid […]
Year of the Ripper: Mary Newman
Mary Newman was 50 when she was stabbed to death by her partner in front of their 13-year-old daughter.