4,336
edits
Changes
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
mLine 1:
Line 1: − + Line 19:
Line 19: − + Line 31:
Line 31: + + + + + + + + + +
no edit summary
'''Jack the Ripper''' was the nickname that the British press gave to a notorious [[serial killer]] who murdered and mutilated at least five, possibly six, and as many as fourteen [[prostitution|prostitutes]] in and around the Spitalfields and Whitechapel parishes of the East End slums of [[London]] in 1888 - an area covering just over one square kilometer (half a square mile). The name "Jack the Ripper" was derived from a letter and postcard sent to the Central News Agency on 27 September and 1 October, 1888 respectively.
'''Jack the Ripper''' was the nickname that the British press gave to a notorious [[serial killer]] who murdered and mutilated at least five, possibly six, and as many as fourteen [[prostitution|prostitutes]] in and around the Spitalfields and Whitechapel parishes of the East End slums of [[London]] in 1888 - an area covering just over one square kilometer (half a square mile). The name "Jack the Ripper" was derived from a letter and postcard sent to the Central News Agency on 27 September and 1 October, 1888 respectively.
The killer has traditionally been considered to have been left handed, but some today think that this may have been based more upon negative connotations of left handed people in that time than fact. <ref>http://www.casebook.org/dissertations/rip-left.html</ref> It is likely that his victims were first strangled before he used his knife, which could also account for the fact that not a single one was heard to cry out. <ref>Three witnesses reporting hearing a cry of "Murder!" coming from the direction of Mary Jane Kelly's room at 4am o the morning of her murder, but nobody went to investigate.</ref> There has also been conjecture as to whether or not he had medical knowledge or training, or at the very least, an understanding of human anatomy.
The killer has traditionally been considered to have been left handed, but some today think that this may have been based more upon negative connotations of left handed people in that time than fact. <ref>http://www.casebook.org/dissertations/rip-left.html</ref> It is likely that his victims were first strangled before he used his knife, which could also account for the fact that not a single one was heard to cry out. <ref>Three witnesses reporting hearing a cry of "Murder!" coming from the direction of Mary Jane Kelly's room at 4am on the morning of her murder, but nobody went to investigate.</ref> There has also been conjecture as to whether or not he had medical knowledge or training, or at the very least, an understanding of human anatomy.
==The Victims==
==The Victims==
==The "Jack the Ripper" Letters==
==The "Jack the Ripper" Letters==
The first of letters, now named the "Dear Boss" letter, was sent to the Central News Agency from London EC on 27 September 1888 and was forwarded to Scotland Yard on 29 Spetember. Written in red ink, it was dated 25 September, and read:
The first of the letters, now named the "Dear Boss" letter, was sent to the Central News Agency from London EC on 27 September 1888 and was forwarded to Scotland Yard on 29 Spetember. Written in red ink, it was dated 25 September, and read:
{{cquote|Dear Boss,
{{cquote|Dear Boss,
I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they won't fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the ''right'' track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits.I am down on whores and I shan't quit ripping them ti'l I do get buckled. Grand work the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now? I love my work and want to start again. You will soon hear from me and my funny little games. I saved some of the ''proper'' red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with but it went thick and I can't use it. Red ink is fit enough I hope ''ha ha''. The next job I do I will keep something to send to the police just for jolly wouldn't you? Keep this letter back till I do a bit more work, then give it out straight. My knife's so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get the chance. Good luck.<br>
I keep on hearing the police have caught me but they won't fix me just yet. I have laughed when they look so clever and talk about being on the ''right'' track. That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits.I am down on whores and I shan't quit ripping them ti'l I do get buckled. Grand work the last job was. I gave the lady no time to squeal. How can they catch me now? I love my work and want to start again. You will soon hear from me and my funny little games. I saved some of the ''proper'' red stuff in a ginger beer bottle over the last job to write with but it went thick and I can't use it. Red ink is fit enough I hope ''ha ha''. The next job I do I will keep something to send to the police just for jolly wouldn't you? Keep this letter back till I do a bit more work, then give it out straight. My knife's so nice and sharp I want to get to work right away if I get the chance. Good luck.<br>
Police inspectors at the time believed the letters could have been an elaborate hoax, possibly carried out by a journalist known only as Best.
Police inspectors at the time believed the letters could have been an elaborate hoax, possibly carried out by a journalist known only as Best.
A third letter was sent to George Lusk on 16 October 1888. Lusk (1839 - 1919), who had recently been appointed the president of the newly-formed "Whitechapel Vigilance Committee" had earlier that month requested police protection, having claimed his house was being watched by a "sinister, bearded man". More horrifically, enclosed with the letter was a small bottle, containing half a human kidney (confirmed as such after examination by Dr Openshaw, Curator of the Pathology Museum at London Hospital), preserved in spirits of wine. Although no conclusive evidence can be found, researchers are fairly convinced it was taken from the body of Catharine Eddowes. The poorly written letter read:
{{cquote|From hell<br>
Mr Lusk<br>
Sor<br>
I send you half the Kidne I took from one woman prasarved it for you tother piece I fried and ate it was very nise I may send you the bloody knif that took it out if you only wate a whil longer<br>
Catch me when you can<br>
Mishter Lusk}}
Analysis of the handwriting suggested that the author "was poorly educated and had little familiarity with the act of writing. He also possessed a vicious and cunning mind, with the capability of conceiving and carrying out any atrocity. he was intelligent enough to hold down a job and mask his true personality."
==The Goulston Street Graffito==
==The Goulston Street Graffito==