4 Terrifying Tales From The Victorian Era

Not all killers are men

An illustration of Jack the Ripper by John Tenniel, 1888 (Wikimedia Commons)

The Victorian era has a pretty grim reputation, and it’s easy to see why.

Slum housing, sickly workhouses, austere attitudes, and the renewal of Gothic architecture have given us an unsavory view of nineteenth-century Britain.

These factors are bad enough, but like every period, the Victorian era also had its fair share of bloodthirsty murderers, including the notorious Jack the Ripper.

So, if you enjoy reading about all things dark and creepy, buckle up for some terrifying tales. Though I warn you, some of these stories are not for the fainthearted.

1. Richard Dadd: The Mad Painter

A photograph of Richard Dadd by Henry Hering, c. 1856 (Wikimedia Commons)

Richard Dadd was a Victorian artist who was admitted to the Royal Academy at the age of twenty, which was an impressive accolade for one so young.

But it all went wrong in 1842 during a ten-month trip with Sir Thomas Philips; the trip took them across Europe and the Middle East. Toward the end of their journey, Richard started to go insane. His frequent headaches evolved into bouts of madness and rants about demons.