Francis Thompson - Was He Jack The Ripper? With Richard Patterson.
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- I recently had the good fortune to catch up with Richard Patterson, author of the book "Jack the Ripper, The Works of Francis Thompson."
The book can be purchased from Amazon via the following link.
www.amazon.co....
In 1888 Francis Thompson was an ex-medical student who possessed a dissecting scalpel, and who had a history of mental illness.
He had also been in trouble with the police as a teenager.
At the time of the Jack the Ripper murders, Thompson had just broken up with a prostitute and had written about cutting women's stomachs open.
At the same time, a few yards from The Providence Row Night Refuge, at which he was staying, a woman was knifed, as part of a spate of prostitute murders, which one coroner said was by someone who had considerable anatomical skill and knowledge.
Richard A. Patterson agreed to grant me an interview in which he lays out his case for Francis Thompson's having been the perpetrator of the Whitechapel murders.
Richard jones your brilliant, always fascinated by the Ripper murders an to listen to you and the effort an time you take to produce these Ripper videos is something special 😊thank you
Thank you, Dan. Very kind of you.
I think Mr. Patterson said twice that Francis Thompson was born in 1959.
That would definitely rule him out as the Ripper so.
Yeah……no.
A better suspect than most. Charles Allen Lechmere is still the best suspect, in my opinion. Are you allowed to say who your favorite suspect is, Richard?
I have sworn a vow of secrecy!
@Jack The Ripper Tour That's what I thought. You're actually too nice! I know you don't want to offend other guests who've been on your show. After all, it's the greatest mystery in history 😁
Lechmere or Jacob Levy are the two best suspects imo. I'd be amazed if it wasn't one of those two (not that we'll ever know, of course).
@thetragicyouth I agree... with Tumblety as a 3rd top suspect. I vote Lechmere.
@@JackTheRipperTours wise man😊
He's a very interesting suspect. He follows the things other killers have done in more recent times. For example the violent poetry.
The reality is we will never know who Jack the Ripper was or if all murders were committed by one or more people. But this was a great interview!
The same goes for the Zodiac Killer. Honestly, I think there were several Zodiacs.
Charles Allen lechmere was by no doubt Jack the Ripper !!!! No one else could have done it !!! 😁😁👍👍
No you can tell by the escalation of each murder it was done by 1 person
This was a fascinating interview. Francis Thompson definitely seems to be one of the more plausible suspects. However, he may just have had a great (drug-induced) imagination. It makes me think of Edgar Allan Poe...was he a secret serial killer, or did opium and alcohol just fuel his horrific stories and poems? I don't know of anyone who has ever tried to link Poe with any unsolved crimes, so I would think it was just all imagination... but, he sure had the psyche for it. "The Telltale Heart" paints such a detailed image of how a murderer might feel after killing. Then, there's Fyodor Dostoevsky with his novel, Crime and Punishment. Obviously, the main character was not a serial killer, per se, with only one murder in the book, but the detailed way that Dostoevsky gets into the killer's head has always made me wonder if the author himself had ever been in a similar position. The obsession, the fear of being caught, the paranoia that Raskolnikov experienced seemed so real. It makes you wonder how an author can get so much inside of a character's head without having been in a similar position themselves. I'm familiar with many of the Jack the Ripper suspects, but I've never been 100 percent behind any of them. I think I need to investigate Francis Thompson on my own a bit. So far, I really like him as a suspect. Mr. Patterson, I think I'm going to "have" to buy your book.
Just ordered the book from Amazon
"he may just have had a great (drug-induced) imagination. It makes me think of Edgar Allan Poe...was he a secret serial killer, or did opium and alcohol just fuel his horrific stories and poems?"
A gifted writer / artist is usually more sensitive / insightful than the reader.
A skeleton was found in one of edger Poe’s old house walls so there you go ha
A very intriguing suspect, certainly possible and plenty of opportunity. We can never know for sure who Jack the ripper was with the information we have uncovered so far, but Francis Thompson can be placed alongside all the well reseached suspects we have such as Jacob Levy, Aaron kosminski, Charles Lechmere, James Hardiman etc.
Who is James Hardiman for goodness sake?
Right
So this guy's connection with sex workers is that... they supported him for a year and encouraged him in his career as a poet?
Using that as support for the theory that he (compulsively or not) became a serial killer who targeted sex workers is a HELL of a stretch.
While I don't agree with this theory, I must admit that I really don't know the validity of his research, I find myself discounting it because of my bias for my theory. What makes me respect his argument ,is the way he handles himself. This man understands the word argue. It means a respectful exchange of facts and ideas. To have someone shoot down your argument out of hand ,without facts isn't arguing .. it's emotions. I believe every theory should be included into the discussion. The more information the better. I've been working on my own theory that should be included in the discussion. Richard,, can you account for your whereabouts from the end of sept to Nov 1888? You seem to know a lot about these murders....
It's a fair cop, Bill? I dunnit!
Haha
@@JackTheRipperTours I felt that way until you mentioned Cutbush.. He checks more boxes than Kosminski .. I find him fascinating...
@@blrenx Ironically, if it were Cutbush, his name would be almost as applicable as the nom de guerre he was given.
@@JackTheRipperTours Well, your kid thinks you did it, ha, ha!
“Pursued by a vengeful God”? I think the point of Hound of Heaven is that the sinner is pursued by a LOVING God who doesn’t quit on us, despite our attempts to evade him.
There is a bit of vagueness. It's a hunting hound not a loving pet. Hunting dogs don't tend to treat their quarry well.
I agree Hound of Heaven is a beautiful poem about shame and fear and love. I don't think the man who wrote perhaps the best poem in the English language could have done these crimes. Maybe...but I don't think so.
I cant tell you how much I'm enjoying your videos! I just discovered your channel a few days ago, and find it simply the best source for the soundest Ripper info all in one place. (I also thought I'd heard of all the reasonable suspects, til this one!)
Thank you, that is really nice o know.
@@JackTheRipperTours Most welcome! Keep up the good work! Cheers from across the drink! :)
That is very interesting. This suspect could easily be the real thing I think especially when his writings appear to reflect that mindset and his studies fit so well.
I think we may be scraping the barrel at this point…
There are several stronger suspects that he hasn't gotten to yet.
What makes you say that?
I still enjoy the discussions, even if I can’t agree with them. I think they should continue to seriously discuss all the suspects, their pros and cons, or as many as can be discussed. But be sure, some are definitely based more on fan-fiction than fact. Not saying that this one is. I’m all for this kind of analysis. If it’s a reasonable possibility, all well and good. If not, then it still has value as something to be amused at for being bizarre.
Lol
@@brianbommarito3376 I agree, I have my mind made up who the killer was, but, it’s still good to listen and consider new info
No opinion on the suspect but, the guest looks like an older Adrien Brody ❤
Maudelynn, yes he does! I couldn't put my finger on it!
even if he wasn’t Jack, he is fascinating. and he certainly is a contender. so many things fit the scenario - he has so many qualities one could see him definitely as Jack.
and the author is a very nice man, too. someone who’d be a great friend to discuss things with.
good questions and a great video. thanks much. have a great day :) 🌷🌱
Each time I read any new book about JtR, I'd be convinced that jack had been unmasked. At last!, we now know for sure!... After years of being fascinated by the story I can say for me at least, it is a resounding 'yes' when it comes to Charles Cross. 👀👍
Absolutely absurd to consider Francis Thompson a suspect for Jack the Ripper !!!! 🤔🤔🤔🤔
sadly it would be impossisble to find out who jack the ripper was , and all this guy has is circumstantialevidance at best.
Not close to a legitimate suspect
After 135 years people ( not we) still think "they know" Jack back then as now remains elusive. I'm enjoying every angle though, after all I'm human too, and I love a great story, be it fictional or in the case of Jack based in truth.
Another portrait to be embossed onto the JTR commemorative tea towel ...
Anyone alive at the time with a suitably creepy photo available is a suspect.
I found the chronology hard to follow with this guest speaker.
Between the on camera microphone and his accent it's the first time I had to turn on captions for an Aussie or New Zealander. I finally just gave up.
I'm Canadian, but I had no trouble understanding either one of them. 🤷🏼♀️
Johndell I can feel your pain
Brilliant interview guys. I've had the book delivered today and look forward to a good read.
Very interesting, but ultimately unconvincing since we only have Thompson's word that he was even in the East End at the time, there's no independent or third-party corroboration that he was in the immediate vicinity. From the accounts (and alarmed manuscript-burning!) of his publisher, it seems far more likely that Thompson could have identified with JTR or fantasised about those murderous rampages, but I just can't see any persuasive evidence for anything beyond that. Oh, and Rupert Street does not "lead into" Panton Street, they are several streets apart. Characteristically even-handed and very fair input from our host - many thanks for a fascinating hour.
Yes, not a jot of evidence even pinpointing him in the area.
Next!!
No.
A very interesting interview. I will most definitely read Mr. Patterserson’s book with great interest. And as you so rightly put it Mr. Jones, Thomsons life is quite interesting in its own right.
My Sicilian grandmother is a more likely suspect than Francis Thompson.
Wow! What an amazing talk! Mr. Patterson really knows about this poet and Jack the Ripper suspect Francis Thompson. Hearing the details of the man's poetry and character gave me the chills. More people need to know and I intend to order the book.
‘Coincidentally within 3 years of Mary Kelly’s murder’ 😂 I think that might not be a coincidence…😂😂😂
It seems like circumstantial evidence connects Thompson to the Ripper murders (i.e. having a surgical background, living in the area, etc...). However, in regards to his written works, how does that specifically connect him to any of the murders? The one, about the prostitute being stabbed with a sword, made me think about Martha Tabram. But, she may not have been a Ripper victim.
Mostly he is not only down on whites, but down on women, certainly a twisted individual.
Wow Francis Thompson can perhaps be added to the list of main suspects. His family thinking he might be Jack is very telling. Families know the sum total of intangibles about each other. Francis Thompson deserves a serious second, and third, look. Enjoyed this interview very much.
Druits family thought their kid was the Ripper!
Great channel sir
I Love the way you open the debate on all suspect of JTR and allow the people that have spent time and effort in investigating the suspects to put the case
I loved the book & was fascinated by the idea that Thompson could be the Ripper. I'd recommend the book to anyone who enjoys a good read & all Ripper enthusiasts.
Thanks for this series of videos on Jack the Ripper suspects! Do you have any videos planned on George Hutchinson or Joseph Barnett? Personally, I find Hutchinson's story and actions at least as suspicious as Charles Lechmere's (although I think none of the people I mentioned were likely the killer).
Okay i agree with Hutchinson, but what's about Barnett, ever considered that, he was short time employed as a horse slaughterer, he lived locally in whitchapel and every surrounding cirumstances of kelley death makes him a even likely suspect like lechmere, or the suspect presented by the author mj trow robert mann who was working in a mortuary. The FBI believes the suspect when employed had a menial type of job requiring no or less contact with society. A butcher, horse slaughterer, mortuary helper, medical examiner assistant or hospital attendant were likely of the kind of work the ripper must have possessed.
Did you guys just get a phone book out and go through randomly picking names out 😁
Really interesting. It took me awhile to get my ear in to the accent but then I have a strong accent so I am tolerant of others accents.
Did this guy say that Jack the ripper died in 1997 ?
What was he a vampire ?
I think he said twice Thompson was born in 1959. I re-ran it and listened again. I think he said Thompson died in 1907.
Where's the evidence ? A complete and utter load of rubbish !!!
Another interesting upload Richard,do you remember on the spot of Polly Nichols murder seeing a spot of tar left where her body was found?I was there in the early 80’s and local told me it was replaced over years as it wore,just wondered if true,it was there that day about 1ft wide,opposite side of street had been demolished with hoardings up but murder site side was old and derelict
Thompson is an excellent suspect he ticks all the boxes including bi polarism, addiction and carrying a scalpel
Though many of the wounds were inflicted with a knife between 6 & 8 inches.
Doesn’t make him JTR though. I swear people think just because a man had a mental illness that makes him a suspect 😂
How many pychos were roaming around Whitechapel in the day maybe a dozen or two.
I enjoyed the talk and love hearing all theories, but I think Swanson knew more than anyone and named the correct guy, Kosminski. 🔪 🩸 🕵️♂️
Not a jot of evidence for Kosminski and the police were clueless. JTR was almost certainly not an outwardly abnormal lunatic. Serial killers don't tend to be outwardly abnormal.
Another great interview! The book was one of my favorite suspect books.
Too long before any Jack info. Short attention span sorry
My take is that Thompson is a viable suspect, definitely worth a video, but not one of the strongest suspects. The case against him is that he was in Whitechapel at the time, he's the right age, and he had surgical skill, though I think it's generally believed that rudimentary anatomical knowledge is all that JtR would have needed to have. The writing related things mean little to me. Writers often include violence in their writings. I also think that carrying a knife would have been pretty common. But this is a good video, one that should be of interest to those with an interest in the case.
I love your videos, especially these discussions with other ripperologists. My wife and i will be in london later this month and we are excited to be going on your tour. Hopefully we will see you there
A resent investigation found that a local abbatoir workers walk to work passed all the murder sites and nobody took any notice of him because he wore his leather apron covered in blood.
Was he the ripper?…. No… Impossible… Because….
It was Maybrick!!!!
Lechmere. The Maybrick diary was a hoax
NO.
Great post great story i think ill have to get the book 👍
Never heard of this man, especially as a suspect.
I always enjoy watching the videos, really good you are looking at the bigger picture and are not putting the focus on just one suspect. Often when you watch a documentary they are trying to convince you their suspect must be JTR, you just neutrally show us many theories and suspects. On this one: I can hardly call Mr. Patterson convincing. Basically the whole case is based on the fact that Thompson was more or less in the area and was somewhat excentric (which artist is not??). Not a credible suspect in my opinion but still an entertaining talk.
I think i dialed in the serial killer! They wont face their fears like real men do! I faced my fears so i dont need to torture other critters!
They refuse to face their fears and impose suffering on "lesser" creatures
What people don't do with These suspects is put the crime with the evidence. Alot of Reacherers just put these suspects with what fits which is not evidence. Within the press reports of all the inquest and Even going back as to 4 year's before 1888 because the white Chapel murderer was killing before the 5 victims for sure. The killer probably graduated becoming more confident and Strong in his crimes. Another thing that bothers me is everyone is on board that the killer stopped after Mary Kelly and I don't think he did. The white Chapel murderer just changed his MO. For me there are only Three possibly theory's. It's either Charles leechmer, or the ripper is not just one person but perhaps three which evidence suggests that in the testimony from witnesses and even contridicting statement at the inquest of Elizabeth stride From Lewis deimschutz and Isaac kozebaldsky which is very concerning. Finally Walter Sickert is a far suspect but evidence that cannot prove weather he is or isn't but compelling enough to take a second look. Nonetheless it's important to look at the evidence so the crime fits the evidence. I love watching different Reacherers but for the most part I like to do my own investigation. You can become pigeon holed from all These theories without doing the work yourself. I've learned in this case one has to think for themselves without the thoughts of someone's else's view. The evidence of testimony is still out there and the geography of White Chapel of the Time is where the real suspect can be found.
Exactly. No suspect bar Lechmere can be placed at the scenes of the crimes.
I have a gut feeling that Richard Patterson is correct. I think Francis Thompson was Jack the Ripper. I also believe he was Bipolar too. Great Job Richard. I will have to get your book.
I feel that the person who committed these horrible murders had a very basic knowledge of anatomy. If i remember correctly ? Some of the witnesses who claimed to have seen some of the victims describe a,dark, foriegn looking man, to a man with a light moustache. I find the description of a 'Yankee' cap or cap like a sailor would wear interesting. Sailors used knives to cut and trim rope on ships at that time. Not stating myself the killer was a sailor or from the Royal navy though.
The regimented dates of the murders could coincide with ships docking schedules maybe. Murders tended to be end of first week and end of the month.
99.9% sure Jack was not homeless!
What makes you say that??
I don't know, maybe Im missing something along the way, but there's really nothing much of substance here~although it's a fascinating life to listen about and the gentleman has clearly done his due diligent research~but I don't see anything at all definitive with him being Jack. A lot of people had some dismemberment of humans and/or animals experience~ failed physicians, former physicians, morticians, failed medical students, butchers, etc. At that time in the East End of London there could have been hundreds. Also a lot of people with violence in their backgrounds, even arson does not make them serial killers in a 6-7 month time span, If you include the Martha Tabron murder and the victims prior to Polly Nichols, including the woman that lived for several days but claimed it was a group of men.
With Lechmere we have so much, and one needs only to familiarize themselves with Christer Holmgren's research and book including the documentary he features in, Jack the Ripper,The Missing Evidence. Edward Stowe and his series of red flag videos on his TH-cam channel, House of Lechmere, has also provided us with top-of-the-line research, and an incredible, extremely substantive narrative of history, relationships, connections, and separations, and given so much food for thought, so much of a factual and a tangible nature that law enforcement could actually dig into, a century and a half, nearly, later.
Do we know for CERTAIN that Lechmere was Jack the Ripper?? Well of course not. But as former Sussex Detective Duperintendent Andrew Griffith indicated in the Missing Evidence documentary, Cross(Lechmere) being discovered at the Polly Nichols crime scene, would have been detained on the spot, taken down the nick, vigorously questioned and no doubt held until and/ or unless he could be completely cleared~or an arrest was made.
Only one man was found, standing alone, directly beside one of the victims whose body was still warm, the deadly neck wound still leaking blood, and who's immediately subsequent behavior was nothing short of, as we would say today, "shady af"
Only one man would have walked past each and every one of the murder scenes, right around the time the murders would have been committed~ with the obvious exception of Catherine Eddowes~ on his daily route to work, and that one man was Charles Allen Lechmere.
Referring to Lechmere, I'm sure we've all heard it said and I'm sorry that I can't remember who said it...
.that Charles Allen Lechmere was either Jack the Ripper~OR HE WAS THE LUCKIEST BLOKE IN THE EAST END OF LONDON!
I wonder if the people who claim to disagree with Lechmere as the Ripper are just sore that after what could have been decades of studying the case, they, too, along with many many others, missed this guy who for over a century, has been hiding in plain sight
I totally agree 💯
You all stil dont no it was the butler
Great stuff! A fascinating talk indeed! Many thanks :)
Great watch sir 🔪 🎩
I have a letter for Comparison
Many would say it was Donald Trump
It was Salman Rushdie.
I think Charles Lechmere is the still the strongest suspect
This was a wonderful interview - Francis Patterson is an interesting character! Thank you so much!
Wow, this is very interesting information that isn’t common knowledge. Really enjoyed hearing Mr. Patterson’s theory.
I agree that Lechmere is the best suspect.
Thompson was in the right area at the time, but i believe he was too gentle a soul to have done these murders.
If tou read about Thompsons interactions with othwr people ans his fear and gentleness, its hard to see him doing these murders.
I dont believe that the single act of ciolence that he was ever seen to commit fits him for theae crimes. Everything about his life says he didnt have the hatred or courage to commit these crimes i think.
He says he was in a locked Catholic hostel (which no biography mentions) which presumably had an early curfew, probably nine or ten pm. How did he get out? Would he stay there in that circumstance? How did he get back in, covered in blood? Unnoticed!! Absurd. His sex worker friend rendezvoused near Brompton Oratory in west kensington, she hired a cab and took him back to her lodgings in Chelsea, also kensington to feed him. Rich clients, probably some aristocrats in that area. And Mr Patterson then says she told him she would go to East End of London (a lie, nowhere recorded) i.e. the poorest most dangerous area and leave her rich clients behind! How patently silly. FT's writings were like most writers of the 19th century back to Swift and including Blake, Ruskin, Poe etc. FT's comments are NOT aimed at individuals but society as it was then and therefore anti-materialism which includes science and the fallacy of progress. You probably didn't go to Oxford or Cambridge for a proper study of the period I am respectfully guessing. A tutor there would have corrected you.
Anser, no.
How does Thompson measure up to the witness descriptions. His height? His coloring? His age? His build? His clothes?
No
Thompson's eyes look a bit like those of a serial killer.
Notice that his poem contains the phrase ' ha ha!'. Reminds me of the dear boss letter which also contains the phrase 'ha ha!'. The letter is also written in copperplate writing which you would expect from an educated person.
Nope.
No, he wasn't. Not even close. It was Lechemere! the only one in the vicinity and EVEN ON SITE for two!
When I originally watched this, I had intended to do so with scorn at yet another stupid JTR suspect. Then the more I watched it, the more I was like "WTF." I'd still say he's probably not JTR, but I'd also say he's as good a suspect as any other put forth.
What can one say but "Oh dear " sorry but
My problem is all these suspects in my opinion sound guilty. But this guy needs serious consideration. He hits all the points of being JTR….
He does check a lot of boxes.
Has anyone ever input his works into an A.I. which could compare them to the letters received by the police?
Thought they proved it was the barber 🤔
What barber? Nothing’s been proven
Colonel Mustard with the dagger in the conservatoey
I find all the various theories that seem to identify the Ripper as someone famous or noteworthy as dubious. The history of serial killers is not populated with painters, poets, crown princes, etc., so I doubt that Jack the Ripper was anyone more significant than working class Whitechapel denizen with a pathological mind.
Thompson only became famous after the murders. At the time he was an unknown.
Agree. To me, JTR was an ordinary man, a local man who knew the Whitechapel streets well and probably grew up in the area.
mr.patterson is an excellent writer and very personable..enjoyed him and his view on the ripper....francis had a amazing life thats for sure....wether he was the ripper or not....
This guy keeps using 18 then 19 intermittently when talking about dates. Annoying
Interesting suspect. I still think Lechmere is the best candidate to date.
Any suspect bought to the table is interesting even if it's not JTR
Replace a few letter and you get JFK.
Case closed.
Obviously no. His name was John
Jack the Ripper was Charles Allen Lechmere, only ever known as "Cross' when trying to evade identification~as when interviewed after 'discovering' Polly Nichols
How is giving the name your registered as at work evading identification.
@@thekitowlbecause it wasn’t his real name 🥴
This seems plausible to me so far (I’m only at 19:46).
Whendisd he write "The Hound of Heaven" and when was it published?
I'll make the point that the perceived links between Thompson and the Dear Boss letter might still be valid despite the fact the letter was likely the work of someone at the Central News Agency. His leather apron remarks might have been simply a sly joke with the letter in mind. I've always had an interest in Thompson as a suspect so I think I'll be ordering Richards book if only to fill out my knowledge. Great interview.
This was so very interesting, thank you!
So many Ripper theories, so much supposition. And every time it all sounds plausible. I still think that the Mary Kelly murder was done by her lover as it was ott. And i think the murderer of the other 4 was in custody at the time, thus corroborating both alibis. It has been a while since i dipped i to this, and i forget names, but i think Kellys murderer was her lover, and he had alibis for the other 4 and vice versa.
Kelly's most recent lover was Joseph Barnett, her previous one was Joseph Fleming, and both are considered suspects by some people. Frances Tumblety may have been in custody at the time. He was arrested shortly before the Kelly murder, and it's unknown whether or not he was out on bail.
I've heard the theory of her lover Joseph Barnett being the killer, IMHO whoever killed Kelly and took two hours cutting up and mutilating her body and face and turning her into a bloody piece of meat and putting her organs around her little flat had issues far beyond a lover's quarrel.
I thought the obvious suspect was Polish Jew Aaron Kosminski!
Some NEVER want this mystery solved because when THAT happens people shelve it in their minds & lose interest. For my money, Patricia Cornwell's evidence of Walter Sickert's very strange behaviour makes him the best fit for the Ripper that I know of. When you realize that those letters, for example, that were supposedly written in his victim's blood, were actually written using artist's etching ground! Of the suspects Sickert WAS the ONLY artist! THIS is only ONE "coincidence"! The more you check him out, the more you FIND! So what can be said, all thing considered, is Walter Sickert was the best FIT for Jack the Ripper & for those tossers who say he was in France at the time of one of the murders, WRONG! Because someone books a seat at the theatre does NOT guarantee that they attend! Just because Sickert got a ferry ticket to France does NOT PROVE he actually travelled there. He neither met any of his friends there nor did they visit him, which was very strange for Sickert. So, boiled down, we have Sickert giving himself an alibi! NO other person CONFIRMED he was in France at THAT time! As Patricia said "Case CLOSED!"