Seeking Mary Jane -Who Was the Ripper's Final Victim ?
Review of new book and on line chat with author Paul Williams
.jpg)
I have not really covered Jack the Ripper and the wider 'Ripperology' genre. Decided to make an exception for Paul Williams, an English writer who now lives in Australia. A specialist in Cryptozoology and the study of wolves in folklore, Paul has also written many articles for various history magazines, and has had some hundred short stories published. Most significantly, he is the author of Jack the Ripper Suspects : The Definitive Guide and Encyclopedia -which has 333 entries.
1. For people (like myself) who are not really knowledgeable about Jack the Ripper, which books, websites, online videos, are a good starting point to get an overview of the subject and some of the current debates within 'Ripperology'?
Recommended books are The Complete History of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden, Jack the Ripper:The Facts by Paul Begg, and The Ultimate Jack the Ripper Sourcebook by Stewart Evans and Keith Skinner . 'Casebook' is the main website : Jack the Ripper- Main and Forums and Jack the Ripper Forums-Ripperology : For The 21st Century has extensive message boards featuring debates on many issues. Ripperologist is a free magazine published online twice a year.
2.An obvious question, why did you feel driven to write about Mary Kelly?
Mary Kelly has the most coverage and attention of all the Jack the Ripper victims, although we know least about her. My academic background is in the dissection of myths. I wrote an extensive book on the Jack the Ripper suspects in 2018, presenting the known facts in a manner that encouraged readers to form their own conclusions. Following that an attempt to identify Mary and discover the truth about her was a logical challenge.
3. You acknowledge the late Chris Scott and his book The Real Mary Kelly as an inspiration. Do you want to say more about the assistance Mr Scott gave you?
Anyone who read the forums on Casebook and Jack the Ripper forums will discover posts by Chris Scott on a range of topics. He presented the facts and was always willing to debate theories. When I first posted on Casebook over two decades ago, he responded with helpful advice and his book on Mary Kelly is an excellent example of a researcher who was following leads, rather than starting with a preconceived notion.
4. Have any subsequent developments emerged in researching Mary Kelly's life since the book was written?
Yes, some brilliant research shared on the Jack the Ripper forums has established that two of the women I could not trace survived 1888.
5. Do you think that there is a great deal of pressure is now placed on authors of this genre to name whoever is most likely to have been the Ripper? You have even stated that "A positive identification of the murderer is increasingly unlikely"?
A book that claims to have identified Jack the Ripper has a selling point. Publishers and authors need to make money so naturally they will emphasise new discoveries and theories in their publicity material. I think it unlikely that there is undiscovered information capable of proving beyond reasonable doubt that any suspect was guilty.
6. You have recently contributed to the Routledge Handbook of Jack the Ripper. Do you want to say more about your input?
I contributed a chapter on copycat killings to the handbook. This examined the possibility that later killers were inspired by Jack the Ripper and raises questions, very relevant today about the influence of the media.
Ends
Review of Seeking Mary Jane by Michael Bully
This book is looking at the youngest and arguably the final victim of Jack the Ripper. Brutally murdered on 9th November 1888. Tries to establish what is really known about Mary Jane Kelly, aka Maria Jane Kelly. Using her former partner Joseph Barnett's testimony at the inquest in to her death as a starting point.
No known photos survive, and the people who knew Mary Jane Kelly offered different descriptions, so hard to picture her.
Barnett maintained that Kelly was 25 years old, born in Limerick, moved with her family when quite young to Wales,married a man called Davies/Davis when 16. When 20 or 21 moved to London, worked as a prostitute, lived with another partner before Barnett. Information about her father and brothers were offered.
Paul Williams has already written a book looking at all 333 suspects so well qualified to tackle the complexity of the subject. Mr Williams methodically goes through all the claims made about Kelly, and tries to follow all available leads. Taking account of modern day technology and online discussion. There is also plenty of misinformation- sometimes deliberate, honest speculation, and absolute nonsense -such as Kelly being a nurse to Prince Albert Victor- 'Prince Eddy's- child, conceived after a secret wedding, and then Kelly being murdered by the authorities. The author has plenty of material to sift through. He examines primary records where available. But the 'real' Kelly appears to be elusive.
Though the author does not dwell on more than is necessary on the wretchedness of East End life and the frightfulness of the murder, the book is an intense read in just over 100 pages with additional notes, appendices, a bibliography. Found myself quite moved by the quality of the writing and the author's commitment to the subject.
Links mentioned.
Author website Paul Williams's website, regularly updated, with social media links
Amazon UK entry Paperback & kindle.
Reputation of Prince Albert Victor ( Prince Eddy) , from this blog.
Worthing, England
6th May 2026
Instagram Mr bleak
I am trying to update news about this blog and other 19th century history on Bluesky : Do join me.
Michael Bully @bleakchesneywold.bsky.social
.jpg)
Comments
Post a Comment