In Victorian England, a sinister underbelly thrived beneath the polished facade of the era. Among the many shadows that lurked in the streets, Amelia Dyer was one of the darkest. Dubbed the “Ogress of Reading,” her tale of deceit, neglect, and cold-blooded murder remains one of the most horrifying in the annals of true crime.
The Sad Reality of Victorian Motherhood
The Victorian era, despite its advancements, was not forgiving to unwed mothers. The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act saw to it that fathers of illegitimate children were free of financial responsibility, leaving desperate mothers in dire straits. With society’s disdain for single parenthood, many women resorted to “baby farming,” a practice where children were cared for by others for a fee. Both the wealthy and the poor sought out these services, with varying degrees of legitimacy and care.
For context, even esteemed literary icon Jane Austen’s family engaged with the system. Jane herself was sent to a reputable “wet nurse” in a nearby village during her infant years. Though the practice was scrutinized, its utility was undeniable. In the hands of a compassionate and diligent wet nurse, many infants survived an age where childhood mortality was heartbreakingly common.
