Timeline
Below is an extensive timeline of Ripper-related events covering over 100 years. It is a supplement to the Jack the Ripper article.
APRIL 1887
April 6, 1887 — Elizabeth Stride brings charges of assault against her lover, Michael Kidney.
April 8, 1887 — Joseph Barnett and Mary Kelly meet for the first time.
JUNE 1887
Severin Klosowski arrives in London from Poland.
June 10, 1887 — Elizabeth Stride, using the name ‘Annie Fitzgerald’, is brought before Thames Magistrates Court for drunk and disorderly conduct.
June 28, 1887 — Israel Lipski poisons Miriam Angel at 16 Batty Street.
AUGUST 1887
Mary Ann Cox charged on assault charges in front of Thames Magistrates Court.
August 22, 1887 — Israel Lipski is hanged for the murder of Miriam Angel.
SEPTEMBER 1887
Michael Ostrog sent into Surrey Pauper Lunatic Asylum, suffering from mania, on September 30th, 1887.
OCTOBER 1887
William Henry Bury moves to Bow, where he lives until January, 1889.
NOVEMBER 1887
November 13, 1887 — “Bloody Sunday” A mass riot of the unemployed in Trafalgar Square, which Sir Charles Warren suppresses through military force. One man dies.
DECEMBER 1887
December 26, 1887 — The alleged murder of ‘Fairy Fay’ near Commercial Street.
JANUARY 1888
January 1, 1888 — Nicolas Wassili released from lunatic asylum either in France or Tiraspol.
James Kelly escapes from Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
FEBRUARY 1888
February 25, 1888 — Annie Millwood attacked and stabbed by a strange man with a clasp knife. She survives the attack.
MARCH 1888
William Henry Bury caught stealing from James Martin.
March 10, 1888 — Michael Ostrog released from Surrey Pauper Lunatic Asylum.
March 24, 1888 — Nathan Kaminsky diagnosed as syphilitic at the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary.
March 28, 1888 — Ada Wilson stabbed twice in the neck, barely surviving her attack.
APRIL 1888
William Henry Bury marries Ellen Elliot.
April 3, 1888 — Emma Smith attacked by a gang of young men around 12:30 am.
April 5, 1888 — Emma Smith dies in the London Hospital as a result of her injuries.
MAY 1888
Nathan Kaminsky released from the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary, cured of his syphilitic infection.
JUNE 1888
JULY 1888
Joseph Barnett loses job as a fish porter at Bilingsgate.
Ann Druitt, mother of suspect Montague John Druitt, is certified as insane at the Brooke Asylum, Clapton.
Michael Kidney jailed for three days for drunk and disorderly conduct.
AUGUST 1888
August 4, 1888 — John Pizer charged with indecent assault before Thames Magistrates, but the case is dismissed.
Oswald Puckeridge released from Hoxton House Lunatic Asylum.
August 7, 1888 — Martha Tabram murdered in George Yard Buildings.
August 14, 1888 — Henry Samuel Tabram identifies the body of Martha Tabram, his former wife.
August 28, 1888 — An envelope which would be found near the body of Annie Chapman on September 8th, is postmarked, “London, 28 August, 1888.”
August 29, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor left for Danby Lodge, Grosmont, Yorkshire.
August 30, 1888 — Fire breaks out at the Shadwell Dry Dock and burns until late the next morning, which later helps to establish John Pizer’s innocence.
August 31, 1888 — Polly Nichols killed in Bucks Row
Robert Anderson appointed Assistant Commissioner for Crime; selects Donald Swanson to head the case.
L.P. Walter writes to the Home Office, requesting a reward be offered for the capture of the murderer. Request is denied by E. Leigh Pemberton.
SEPTEMBER 1888
Catharine Eddowes goes hop-picking with John Kelly.
September 1, 1888 — William Nichols identifies the body of his estranged wife, Polly Nichols.
Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins the inquest into the murder of Polly Nichols at the Whitechapel Working Lads’ Institute — adjourned until the 3rd.
Mrs. Sarah Colwell claims to have seen spots of blood in Brady Street, adding to the theory that Nichols was killed elsewhere.
September 3, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Polly Nichols reconvened. Adjourned until the 17th.
September 4, 1888 — The first press reports of a man named ‘Leather Apron’ appear.
September 6, 1888 — Polly Nichols is buried at Little Ilford Cemetery.
September 7, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor travelled to Cavalry Barracks in York.
First official mention of John Pizer as ‘Leather Apron.’
September 8, 1888 — Annie Chapman killed in Hanbury Street.
Amelia Palmer identifies Annie’s body at 11:30 am.
Robert Anderson leaves for Switzerland on sick leave.
Thomas Ede sees Henry James outside The Forrester’s Arms, in possession of a large knife.
Mrs. Fiddymont sees suspicious bloodstained man in the Prince Albert.
September 9, 1888 — Miss Lyons claims to have had a drink with a man she suspected to be ‘Leather Apron’ at the Queen’s Head pub.
John Evans and Mr. Fountain Smith both identify Annie Chapman’s body.
September 10, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor returned to London from York.
Samuel Montagu offers a £100 reward for the capture of the murderer.
George Lusk elected president of The Whitechapel Vigilance Committee.
John Pizer arrested as ‘Leather Apron.’
September 11, 1888 — Dr. Cowan and Dr. Crabb inform police that they believe Jacob Issenscmid to be the Ripper.
September 12, 1888 — Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins the inquest into murder of Annie Chapman at the Whitechapel Working Lads’ Institute — adjouned until the 13th.
Inspector Joseph Luniss Chandler is quoted in the Star as saying the ‘bloodstains’ found on the fence in the yard of 25 Hanbury Street were simply urine stains.
Mrs. Darrell identifies the body of Annie Chapman.
Laura Sickings discovers ‘bloodstains’ on the fence in her yard at 25 Hanbury Street, later said to be urine stains.
September 13, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Annie Chapman reconvened. Adjourned until the 14th.
Edward McKenna is arrested in connection with the Ripper murders, but is released soon after.
September 14, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Annie Chapman reconvened. Adjourned until the 19th.
Annie Chapman is buried at Manor Park Cemetary.
September 16, 1888 — B. Harris of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee requests that the Home Secretary add to the reward money offered.
September 17, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Polly Nichols reconvened. Adjourned until the 23rd.
Jacob Issenschmid confined to Fairfield Row Asylum, Bow.
September 18, 1888 — Charles Ludwig threatens Elizabeth Burns with a knife near the Minories, and soon after threatens Alexander Freinberg at a coffee stall, leading to his arrest.
September 19, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Annie Chapman reconvened. Dr. Philips suggests the uterus of the woman might have been removed for sale to a medical student who had been inquiring about obtaining such specimens. The Inquest was adjourned until the 26th.
Inspector Abberline reports that Issenschmid was the man seen by Mrs. Fiddymont.
September 23, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Polly Nichols completed.
September 26, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Annie Chapman completed.
September 27, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor leaves for Abergeldie, Scotland.
Catherine Eddowes and John Kelly return to London, having been hop-picking all month.
The ‘Dear Boss’ letter is received at the Central News Agency, the first to use the name ‘Jack the Ripper.’
September 29, 1888 — Catherine Eddowes arrested at 8.45 pm for public drunkenness by Sergeant James Byfield.
September 30, 1888 — Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes killed at 1:00 and 1:45 am, respectively.
Prince Albert Victor dines with Queen Victoria in Abergeldie, Scotland.
Whitechapel Vigilance Committee sends letter to the Home Office requesting a reward be officially offered. Request denied.
Diary entry in the Swedish Church Parish Register records the death of Stride, possibly “murdered by Jack the Ripper?” If indeed written on the 30th September, this is the earliest known use of the name “Jack the Ripper.”
OCTOBER 1888
October 1, 1888 — Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins inquest into the murder of Elizabeth Stride at the Vestry Hall, Cable Street. Adjourned until the 2nd.
The morning issue of the Daily News first prints the text of the Dear Boss letter.
Thomas Coram finds a bloodstained knife in Whitechapel Road, with a blade of about 9 inches.
The Financial News contributes £300 toward a reward for the capture of the murderer.
Lord Mayor offers £500 reward.
Sir Alfred Kirby offers £100 reward and 50 militia men to help apprehend the criminal. Offer declined.
Queen Victoria telephones the Home Office at 3:30 pm and expresses her shock at the murders.
The ‘Saucy Jacky’ postcard is received at the Central News Agency.
Michael Kidney arrives drunk at Leman Street Police Station, blaming the PC on duty at the time of Stride’s murder, and asking to speak with a detective.
The Star prints the text of the Saucy Jacky postcard in the evening edition.
The first of many imitative hoax letters is received, with the word “Boss” hastily inserted in play of “The City Police.”
October 2, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Elizabeth Stride reconvened. Adjourned until the 3rd.
George Lusk sends petition to the Home Office requesting a reward by offered by the police.
Clairvoyant Robert James Lees offers his psychic assistance to the police, but is denounced as a fool.
Two private detectives, Grand and Batchelor, find a grape stalk in the drain near the spot where Elizabeth Stride’s body was found.
October 3, 1888 — Unidentified trunk of a woman discovered in Whitehall.
Inquest into the murder of Elizabeth Stride reconvened. Adjourned until the 5th.
Clairvoyant Robert James Lees offers his psychic assistance to the police, but his offer is refused.
October 3, 1888 — Grand and Batchelor take Matthew Packer to view the body of Catharine Eddowes, implying that it is Elizabeth Stride in order to evaluate his testimony. Packer passes the test, saying he does not recognize the body.
October 4, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Catharine Eddowes opened by Coroner Langham at the Golden Lane Mortuary.
Clairvoyant Robert James Lees offers his psychic assistance to Scotland Yard, who respectfully decline.
Matthew Packer views the body of Elizabeth Stride and confirms it as the woman he saw on the night of the double murders.
Facsimiles of the Dear Boss and Saucy Jacky letters first published in the Evening Standard.
October 5, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Elizabeth Stride reconvened. Adjourned until the 23rd.
October 6, 1888 — Elizabeth Stride buried at East London Cemetery.
October 7, 1888 — George Lusk writes the Home Office, requesting that a pardon be granted for the murderer’s accomplice(s), in the hopes that these accomplices would reveal his identity.
October 8, 1888 — Catharine Eddowes is buried at Little Ilford.
October 9, 1888 — Police test out the bloodhounds Barnaby and Burgho, successfully, at Regent’s Park.
Sir Charles Warren replies affirmatively to Lusk’s request of a pardon, but the idea is struck down by Matthews.
October 10, 1888 — The bloodhounds are tested again, this time personally by Sir Charles Warren in Hyde Park. They were not successful this time, however, and this incident was quite an embarrassment for Warren.
October 11, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Catharine Eddowes completed.
October 12, 1888 — E.W. Bonham, from Boulogne, brings suspect John Langan to the attention of the Home Office
October 16, 1888 — John Langan’s innocence verified by police.
George Lusk receives a package including the “From Hell” letter and half a kidney, allededly from the body of Catharine Eddowes.
October 21, 1888 — Maria Coroner charged with hoaxing several “Jack the Ripper letters” claiming the murderer would claim his next victim in Bradford.
October 23, 1888 — Inquest into the murder of Elizabeth Stride completed.
October 30, 1888 — Joseph Barnett and Mary Kelly quarrel — Barnett leaves their room at 13 Miller’s Court.
NOVEMBER 1888
November 1, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor arrives in London from York.
November 2, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor leaves for Sandringham.
November 7, 1888 — Francis Tumblety arrested in London on charges of gross indecency.
November 9, 1888 — Mary Kelly killed in Miller’s Court.
Sir Charles Warren resigns.
November 10, 1888 — Pardon offered to “anyone other than the murderer” by the Home Office.
November 11, 1888 — Dr. William Holt, with his face blackened and wearing spectacles, frightens a woman outside of George Yard and is attacked by a mob soon after.
November 12, 1888 — Prince Albert Victor returns to London from Sandringham.
The inquest into the murder of Mary Jeanette Kelly, presided over by Coroner Roderick Macdonald, begins and concludes in one day.
Dr. William Holt is released from police custody, having explained that he was tracking down the murderer using various disguises.
George Hutchinson gives police his description of a suspicious man he saw with Kelly on the night of her murder (after the inquest had finished).
November 13, 1888 — Edward Knight Larkins tells police of a man named Antoni Pricha who resembled Hutchinson’s description.
November 15, 1888 — Wolf Levisohn accosted by two prostitutes who shouted “You are Jack the Ripper!” after he refused to accept their solicitations.
November 17, 1888 — Nikaner Benelius, a Swedish man, is arrested by P.C. Imhoff for breaking into Harriet Rowe’s house and staring at her silently with an impudent grin. He was briefly suspected of being the Ripper but was later cleared of all charges.
November 19, 1888 — Edward Buchan, not suspected as Jack the Ripper until a century later, commits suicide.
Mary Jeanette Kelly is buried at Leytonstone Roman Catholic Cemetary; no family members attend.
November 20, 1888 — Annie Farmer allegedly attacked by Jack the Ripper.
November 24, 1888 — Francis Tumblety flees to France, and then to America under the name ‘Frank Townshend.’
November 30, 1888 — Montague Druitt dismissed from his position at a school in Blackheath.
DECEMBER 1888
Inspector Walter Andrews sent to New York to investigate an unnamed possible Ripper suspect.
December 1, 1888 — Probable date of Montague John Druitt’s suicide.
December 6, 1888 — Joseph Isaacs arrested, believed by the press to have been Jack the Ripper, but charged only with stealing a watch.
December 7, 1888 — David Cohen arrested and placed in Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary.
December 11, 1888 — William Druitt hears of his brother Montague’s disappearance.
December 20, 1888 — Rose Mylett killed in Clarke’s Yard.
December 21, 1888 — David Cohen transfered to Colney Hatch Asylum.
Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins the inquest into the murder of Rose Mylett in Poplar Coroner’s Court. Adjourned until January 3rd.
December 24, 1888 — Sir Melville Macnaghten’s father dies.
December 28, 1888 — David Cohen separated from his fellow patients, listed as dangerous and ‘physically ill.’
December 31, 1888 — The body of Montague Druitt discovered floating in the Thames.
JANUARY 1889
Dr. Jon William Sanders dies of heart failure.
William Henry Bury and his wife Ellen move to Dundee
Alfred Gray is arrested in Tunis on burglary charges, and is briefly suspected to be Jack the Ripper.
January 2, 1889 — The inquest into the death of Montague John Druitt concludes in one day.
January 3, 1889 — Inquest into the murder of Rose Mylett reconvened. Adjourned until the 9th.
January 9, 1889 — Inquest into the murder of Rose Mylett completed.
FEBRUARY 1889
February 10, 1889 — William Henry Bury tells police his wife has committed suicide.
MARCH 1889
William Bachert, Chairman of the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee, allegedly told by police officials that the Whitechapel murderer drowned in the Thames at the end of 1888.
APRIL 1889
William Henry Bury hanged in Dundee, convicted of murdering his wife.
MAY 1889
James Maybrick (author of diary in which he claims he killed five women in East London and a prostitute in Manchester) dies.
JUNE 1889
Sir Melville Macnaghten joins Scotland Yard as an Assistant Chief Constable.
Parts of Elizabeth Jackson’s body wash up on the shores of the Thames throughout the middle weeks of June.
Michael Kidney treated for a syphilitic infection at the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary.
JULY 1889
July 17, 1889 — Alice McKenzie killed in Castle Alley.
Margaret ‘Mog’ Cheeks, a friend of Alice McKenzie is missed at her lodgings and feared dead as well.
John McCormack identifies Alice McKenzie’s body.
Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins the inquest into the death of Alice McKenzie. Adjounred until the 19th.
July 19, 1889 — Margaret ‘Mog’ Cheeks is discovered, having stayed with her sister for a few days.
Police force augmented with 1 inspector, 5 sergeants and 50 constables.
Inquest into the death of Alice McKenzie reconvened. Adjourned until August 14th.
July 23, 1889 — Reverend Samuel Barnett publishes a letter in the Times concerning degradation in Whitechapel.
July 25, 1889 — Letter signed ‘Jack the Ripper’ arrives at Scotland Yard, reading: “Dear Boss — You have not caught me yet you see, with all your cunning, with all your “Lees’ with all your blue bottles. I have made two narrow squeaks this week, but still though disturbed I got clear before I could get to work — I will give the foreigners a turn now I think — for a change — Germans especially if I can — I was conversing with two or three of your men last night — their eyes of course were shut and thus they did not see my bag. Ask any of your men who were on duty last night in Piccadilly (Circus End) if they saw a gentleman put 2 dragoon guard sergeants into a hansom. I was close by & heard him talk about shedding blood in Egypt I will soon shed more in England. I hope you read mark & learn all that you can if you do so you may and may not catch — Jack the Ripper.”
AUGUST 1889
August 14, 1889 — Inquest into the death of Alice McKenzie completed.
SEPTEMBER 1889
Michael Kidney treated for lumbago and dyspepsia at the Whitechapel Workhouse Infirmary.
September 10, 1889 — The Pinchin Street Torso is discovered under a railway arch.
OCTOBER 1889
October 15, 1889 — David Cohen is confined to his bed at the asylum.
October 20, 1889 — David Cohen dies in Colney Hatch Asylum
JULY 1890
Aaron Kosminski treated at the Mile End Old Town Workhouse and diagnosed as having been insane for the past two years (July 12). He is released three days later into the custody of his brother, Wolf. (July 15).
NOVEMBER 1890
Ann Druitt, mother of suspect Montague John Druitt, commits suicide.
JANUARY 1891
An individual named Colicott stabs about 6 women from behind over a month-long period.
FEBRUARY 1891
February 4, 1891 — Aaron Kosminski taken to Mile End Workhouse Infirmary.
February 7, 1891 — Aaron Kosminski transfered to Colney Hatch lunatic asylum.
February 11, 1891 — Thomas Sadler meets Frances Coles.
February 13, 1891 — Frances Coles killed in Swallow Gardens.
February 15, 1891 — Coroner Wynne E. Baxter begins the inquest into the murder of Frances Coles at the Working Lads’ Institute. Adjourned until the 16th.
February 16, 1891 — Inquest into the murder of Frances Coles reconvened. Adjourned until the 20th.
February 20, 1891 — Inquest into the murder of Frances Coles reconvened. Adjourned until the 23rd.
February 23, 1891 — Inquest into the murder of Frances Coles reconvened. Adjourned until the 27th.
February 27, 1891 — Inquest into the murder of Frances Coles completed.
A scare similar to the ‘Leather Apron’ scare of September, 1888, begins anew with a man named Jacobs, believed by the public to be the killer soon after the Frances Coles murder.
MARCH 1891
March 5, 1891 — Thomas Cutbush held in Lambeth Infirmary as a lunatic, but escapes soon after.
March 9, 1891 — Thomas Cutbush arrested, charged with stabbing Florence Grace Johnson and attempting to stab Isabelle Frazer Anderson in Kennington.
DECEMBER 1891
Prince Albert Victor engaged to Princess May of Teck (later Queen Mary)
JANUARY 1892
Prince Albert Victor dies of complications from influenza.
FEBRUARY 1892
J.K. Stephen dies.
FEBRUARY 1893
Superintendent Thomas Arnold interviewed by Evening Post.
1894
April 13, 1894 — Aaron Kosminsky transfered to Leavesden Asylum for Imbeciles, noted as ‘Demented and Incoherent.’
Sir Melville Macnaghten writes his memoranda, in response to an article in the Star.hy
1895
April 25, 1895 — The Chicago Sunday-Times Herald publishes a story which describes a ‘psychic hunt’ of Robert James Lees’s which ended up in his tracking down ‘an eminent physician.’
1896
Superintendent Charles Henry Cutbush, uncle of Thomas Cutbush, commits suicide.
Dr. George Bagster Phillips dies.
John Pizer dies.
1898
Journalist Thomas J. Bulling, alleged in the Littlechild Letter to have written the “Jack the Ripper letters”, is fired from the Central News Agency for sending a telegram reporting Bismarck’s death which read “Bloody Bismarck is dead.”
Major Arthur Henry Griffiths publishes the first volume of Mysteries of Police and Crime, with the two remaining volumes released by 1903.
1900
PC Ernest Thompson, who discovered the body of Frances Coles on his first night on the beat, is stabbed and killed while arresting a disorderly man at a coffee-stall.
1901
King Edward VII rises to the throne.
Robert Anderson retires and is knighted — makes first public statement that the Ripper’s identity is known.
Dr. Thomas Bond, who was involved in the examinations of Mary Kelly, Alice McKenzie and Rose Mylett, commits suicide by throwing himself from his bedroom window.
1902
Fogelma, a Norweigan suspect, dies in Morris Plains Lunatic Asylum, USA.
1903
Cabman John Netley is killed when he is thrown from his seat and run over by his own carriage.
Severin Klosowski (alias George Chapman) is hanged.
1904
Major Arthur Henry Griffiths publishes Fifty Years of Public Service.
1907
Sir Robert Anderson writes Criminals and Crime, again stressing that the Ripper’s identity was known.
1908
Book Hvem Var Jack the Ripper? released, suggesting the murderer was Alios Szemeredy.
Vassily Konovalov dies.
1909
Issue of the Ochrana Gazette is published, allegedly including an article implicating Pedachenko as the Ripper.
1910
King Edward VII dies.
Sir Robert Anderson publishes his memoirs under the title The Lighter Side of My Official Life.
Sir Henry Smith publishes his memoirs, From Constable to Commissioner: The Story of Sixty Years: Most of Them Misspent.
1913
September 23, 1913 — Chief Inspector John George Littlechild writes the recently discovered ‘Littlechild letter,’ which was addressed to G.R. Sims and discussed his feelings about the Tumblety suspect.
1914
Police Work From Within written by Hargrave Lee Adam.
Sir Melville Macnaghten publishes his memoirs, Days of My Years.
1915
Film Farmer Spudd and his Missus Take a Trip to Town released in England.
1919
March 24, 1919 — Aaron Kosminsky dies in Leavesden Asylum for Imbeciles, from gangrene.
1920
The Police Encyclopaedia written by Hargrave Lee Adam, with an introduction by Sir Robert Anderson.
Annie Elizabeth Crook dies in the Lunacy Ward of Fulham Road Workhouse.
Wynne E. Baxter dies.
James Monro dies.
1923
October 28, 1923 — The Evening Standard reports the only known account of the Fogelma suspect.
1924
Chief Inspector Donald Swanson dies.
Film Waxworks released in Germany.
1926
Alfred Hitchcock film The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog released in the UK.
1927
James Kelly voluntarily returns to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum, 39 years after his escape from the same institution.
William Le Queux dies.
1928
The Britannia, the public house at which Mary Kelly was seen on the night of her death, is demolished during a project to renovate Spitalfields Market.
Film, Die Busche der Pandora (Pandora’s Box) released in Germany.
1929
Inspector Abberline dies.
James Kelly dies at the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
Leonard Matters publishes The Mystery of Jack the Ripper
1930
The Trial of George Chapman written by Hargrave Lee Adam.
Sergeant William Thick dies.
According to local legend, the Duke of Clarence, Prince Albert Victor, dies in Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. (He officially died in 1892).
1931
C.I.D.; Behind the Scenes at Scotland Yard written by Hargrave Lee Adam.
Robert James Lees dies.
PC Robert Spicer writes to the Daily Express, relating his tale of the ‘Brixton doctor’ suspect (later named ‘Dr. Merchant’)
1932
Film The Lodger (The Phantom Fiend) released in the UK; a remake of the Hitchcock original, with sound.
1935
Dr. Harold Dearden writes article ‘Who was Jack the Ripper?’ in Great Unsolved Crimes.
Jean Dorsenne writes Jack L’Eventreur.
1937
Film Drole de Drame ou L’Etrange Aventure de Docteur Molyneux released in France.
Edwin Thomas Woodhall publishes Jack the Ripper: Or, When London Walked in Terror, forwarding the Olga Tchkersoff theory.
Hugh Pollard gives Miss Dorothy Stroud a knife he claims was used by Jack the Ripper.
1938
Walter Dew publishes his memoirs, I Caught Crippen.
1939
William Stewart publishes Jack the Ripper: A New Theory, suggesting a midwife was the murderer.
1941
Detective Sergeant George Godley dies.
1942
Walter Sickert dies.
1944
Film The Lodger released in the US.
1947
Aleister Crowley dies.
1950
October 29, 1950 — Terence Robertson, writing in the Reynold’s News, makes the first known reference to ‘Fairy Fay.’
Film Room to Let released in the UK.
1951
Leonard Matters dies.
1953
Film Man in the Attic, starring Jack Palance, is released in the US.
1954
Ada Reeve publishes Take it for a Fact.
1958
American television series Cimarron City airs episode ‘Knife in the Darkness.’
Film Jack the Ripper released in Great Britain.
American television series The Veil airs episode ‘Jack the Ripper.’
1959
Dr. Dennis Gratwick Halstead publishes Doctor in the Nineties, naming the Ripper as a North Sea fisherman.
Lady Aberconway, daughter of Sir Melville Macnaghten, shows her father’s now famous memoranda to Daniel Farson, who makes them public for the first time.
Donald McCormick publishes The Identity of Jack the Ripper, stressing the culpability of Michael Ostrog and Vassily Konovalov.
November 5, 1959 — Programme Farson’s Guide to the British airs its first episode (cont’d November 12).
November 7, 1959 — Daniel Farson prints article ‘On the Trail of Jack the Ripper’in TV Times.
November 12, 1959 — Programme Farson’s Guide to the British airs its second, final episode, revealing for the first time the initials of Macnaghten’s suspect: M.J.D.
1961
American television series Thriller airs episode ‘Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper.’
1962
Phillppe Julien makes the first public allegation that Prince Albert Victor was the Ripper in his book, Edouard VII.
1965
Tom Cullen publishes Autumn of Terror — a.k.a When London Walked in Terror, or The Crimes and Times of Jack the Ripper. First to use the Macnaghten memoranda and to name his top suspect, Montague John Druitt.
Robin Odell publishes Jack the Ripper in Fact and Fiction, suggesting a shochet to be the killer.
Film A Study in Terror released in the UK.
1966
The August 1966 edition of Crime and Detection includes an article which describes how a journalist for the Star (named Best) claimed to have written all the “Jack the Ripper letters” ever sent to the press and police.
American television series The Green Hornet airs episode, ‘Alias the Scarf.’
1967
Film No Orchids for Lulu released in Austria.
Popular television series Star Trek airs episode ‘Wolf in the Fold.’
1969
Inspector Lewis Henry Keaton, who joined the MEPO force in 1891, gives a tape-recorded interview discussing police activity at the time.
1970
Dr. Thomas Stowell publishes the first article implicating Sir William Gull in the Criminologist, and writes to the Times in November of the same year that he did not suggest that the Ripper was Prince Albert Victor. By the time the letter was published, Stowell was dead.
1971
Film Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde released in England.
Film Hands of the Ripper released in England.
1972
Michael Harrison writes Clarence, a biography of Prince Albert Victor.
Arthur Butler writes a series of articles for the Sun, furthering the “Jill the Ripper” theory.
Film Jack El Destripador de Londres released in Spain and Italy.
Daniel Farson releases Jack the Ripper, forwarding the Montague John Druitt theory.
‘Alexander Kelly’ publishes Jack the Ripper: A Biography and Review of the Literature.
American television series The Sixth Sense airs episode ‘With Affection, Jack the Ripper.’
1973
Leonard Gribble publishes ‘Was Jack the Ripper a Black Magician?’ in the March, 1973 issue of True Detective, discussing the Dr. Stanley theory.
BBC Documentary Miniseries, Jack the Ripper, airs in the UK, culminating in an interview with Joseph Sickert, in which he names Gull as the Ripper.
Irving Rosenwater publishes ‘Jack the Ripper — Sort of Cricketing Person?’ in The Cricketer, January 1973.
1974
Donald Bell publishes “Jack the Ripper — The Final Solution” in the Spring, 1974 edition of Criminologist, arguing Thomas Neill Cream to be the Ripper.
Arthur Douglas writes Will the Real Jack the Ripper?
American television series Kolchak airs episode ‘The Ripper.’
1975
Movie Black the Ripper is released in the US, starring Hugh van Patten.
Richard Whittington-Egan writes A Casebook on Jack the Ripper.
Donald Rumbelow publishes The Complete Jack the Ripper.
Thomas Mann publishes ‘The Ripper and the Poet: A comparison of Handwriting’ in WADE Journal, June 1975.
Chaim Bermant publishes Point of Arrival: A Study of London’s East End; chapter 9, ‘Jacob the Ripper.’
Elwyn Jones and John Lloyd publish The Ripper File, based on the 1973 BBC miniseries Jack the Ripper.
Seymour Shuster publishes ‘Jack the Ripper and Doctor Identification’ in the International Journal of Psychiatry.
1976
Film Der Dirnenmoreder von London released in Switzerland.
The Ten Bells public house is renamed the Jack the Ripper.
Stephen Knight publishes Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution, forwading the Sickert story of royal conspiracies.
1977
Leonard Gribble publishes ‘The Man They Thought was Jack the Ripper’ in March, 1977 issue of True Detective, which dismisses the George Chapman theory.
Mark Andrews publishes The Return of Jack the Ripper, a fictional work which proposes that Mary Kelly’s lover was the Ripper.
1978
Two separate films, one American and one French, are released, both entitled Lulu.
Frank Spiering publishes Prince Jack: The True Story of Jack the Ripper.
Joseph Sickert publicly states that his story of Masonic conspiracy was a hoax.
1979
Film Murder By Decree released in Canada and Great Britain.
Film Time After Time released in the US.
Arthur Douglas publishes Will the Real Jack the Ripper?
1980
American series Fantasy Island airs episode, “With Affection, Jack the Ripper.”
Television documentary Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution produced in Australia, following the lines of the book by the same name.
1982
April 1982 — Bruce Paley publishes ‘A New Theory on the Jack the Ripper Murders’ in True Crime, publicly forwarding the theory that Joseph Barnett was the Ripper for the first time.
1983
The Scotland Yard folio on the murder of Emma Elizabeth Smith is first reported missing in December, 1983.
1984
‘Alexander Kelly’s’ Jack the Ripper: A Bibliography and Review of the Literature is updated in a second edition.
1985
Author and researcher Stephen Knight dies of a brain tumor.
Joseph Sickert recants his previous confession that his story of Masonic conspiracy was a hoax.
Film The Ripper is released in the US.
1986
Euan Macpherson first calls attention to suspect William Bury.
John Morrison erects a headstone above the previously unmarked grave of Mary Jeanette Kelly.
1987
Martin Fido publishes The Crimes, Detection and Death of Jack the Ripper.
A number of Ripper-related documents are returned anonymously to Scotland Yard, including the post-mortem notes of Doctor Bond concerning the Mary Kelly autopsy.
Melvis Harris publishes Jack the Ripper: The Bloody Truth.
Martin Howells and Keith Skinner publish The Ripper Legacy.
Terence Sharkey publishes Jack the Ripper: 100 Years of Investigation.
Peter Underwood publishes Jack the Ripper: One Hundred Years of Mystery.
Colin Wilson and Robin Odell publish Jack the Ripper: Summing Up and Verdict.
The Swanson Marginalia are published for the first time, in the Daily Telegraph.
1988
April 21, 1988 — The Evening Standard makes the first public mention of the existence of the Abberline Diaries.
William Eckert of the Milton Helpern Institute of Forensic Sciences, prepares the FBI’s psychological profile of Jack the Ripper.
The Home Office Files are placed on microfilm.
Television miniseries Jack the Ripper, starring Michael Caine, airs in the US and UK.
The Jack the Ripper public house is restored to its original name, The Ten Bells.
Film Jack’s Back released in the US, starring James Spader.
Colin Kendell publishes ‘Did Mary Kelly Die?’ in the Criminologist, Autumn 1988.
November 1988 — Television programme The Secret Identity of Jack the Ripper airs in the US.
Simon Wood first draws attention to the apparent initials visible on the photo of Mary Kelly’s body.
Paul Begg’s Jack the Ripper: The Uncensored Facts is published.
1989
Film Edge of Sanity released in Great Britain.
Neal Shelden publishes ‘Victims of Jack the Ripper’ in January, 1989 issue of True Detective.
N.P. Warren publishes ‘A Postal Kidney’ in the Spring, 1989 issue of the Criminologist.
1990
Spring, 1990 — Mason Jay writes ‘The Ripper — A Layman’s Theory’ in the Spring, 1990 issue of The Criminologist.
September, 1990 — Roger Barber writes “Did Jack the Ripper Commit Suicide?” in the Autumn, 1990 issue of Criminologist, forwarding Edward Buchan as the Ripper.
December, 1990 — Andrew Holloway publishes “Not Guilty?” in the Cricketer, suggesting M.J. Druitt was murdered by his older brother,William.
LWT TV broadcasts Crime Monthly: Who Was Jack the Ripper in the London area, advancing the Aaron Kosminski theory.
Jean Overton Fuller publishes Sickert and the Ripper Crimes.
Melvin Harris publishes The Ripper File.
1991
Melvyn Fairclough publishes The Ripper and the Royals.
Paul Harrison publishes Jack the Ripper: The Mystery Solved.
Booklet Jack the Ripper released as part of the Scandal series, written by Paul Begg.
Booklet Who Was Jack the Ripper? released as part of the Murder Casebook series, written by Paul Begg.
Martin Fido releases audio-book On the Trail of Jack the Ripper.
1992
Stephane Bourgoin publishes Jack L’Eventreur.
N.P. Warren publishes article in the Spring 1992 edition of Criminologist concerning the ‘Dr. Merchant’ suspect.
Video Jack the Ripper: Gescichte Eines Morders released in Germany.
Publication Ripperana is begun by N.P. Warren.
Begg, Fido, and Skinner print first edition of the revolutionary The Jack the Ripper A to Z.
1993
Shirley Harrison’s The Diary of Jack the Ripper is published; Martin Howells’s video of the same name is released soon after.
Stewart Evans discovers the Littlechild Letter, bringing the Tumblety suspect to light.
William Henry publishes ‘The Ripper case: New Evidence’ in Spring, 1993 issue of the Criminologist.
Sue Iremonger delivers paper ‘Jack the Ripper Revisited’ to the WADE Conference in June, 1993, detailing her handwriting analysis of a number of Ripper letters and documents.
A.P. Wolf publishes Jack the Myth: A New Look at the Ripper.
The London Dungeon opens The Jack the Ripper Experience.
John Wilding publishes Jack the Ripper Revealed, suggesting that M.J. Druitt and J.K. Stephen were together Jack the Ripper.
Map/Pamphlet Jack’s London released by Daryl Sullivan and Andrew Cocknell.
Gary Rowlands publishes ‘Jack the Ripper: The Writing on the Wall’ in the Summer, 1993 issue of the Criminologist.
1994
The Cloak and Dagger Club begun by Mark Galloway.
Philip Sugden publishes The Complete History of Jack the Ripper.
Researcher D.S. Goffee publishes ‘The Search for Michael Ostrog’ in the October, 1994 edition of Ripperana, revealing much new information on the suspect.
Melvin Harris publishes The True Face of Jack the Ripper.
Martin Fido releases narrated audiotape In the Footsteps of Jack the Ripper, which includes directions for individuals to take a tour of Whitechapel.
‘Alexander Kelly’s’ Jack the Ripper: A Bibliography and Review of the Literature is updated in a third edition.
1995
April, 1995 — Mark Angus publishes article in Spring, 1995 issue of Criminologist arguing against the authenticity of the Maybrick diary.
Bernard Brown publishes “Was Jack the Ripper a Policeman?” in The Journal of Police History Society Journal.
Patricia Cory writes An Eye to the Future.
Stewart Evans and Paul Gainey publish The Lodger.
Martin Fido releases audiotape Jack the Ripper.
Scott Palmer publishes Jack the Ripper: A Reference Guide.
William Beadle publishes Jack the Ripper: Anatomy of a Myth, forwarding William Henry Bury as the Ripper.
The London Dungeon updates and revamps The Jack the Ripper Experience
Bruce Paley publishes Jack the Ripper: The Simple Truth.
Camille Wolff publishes Who Was Jack the Ripper?
1996
January 31, 1996 — Casebook: Jack the Ripper goes on-line.
February 29, 1996 — American cable channel A&E airs programme “Biography: Jack the Ripper.”
UK National Conference takes place in Ipswitch, April 1996.
Peter Fisher publishes An Illustrated Guide to Jack the Ripper, which identifies the Ripper as a Turkish priest named Eppstein.
Peter Turnbull publishes The Killer that Never Was.
1997
January 3, 1997 — American television station FOX airs Sliders episode “Murder Most Foul.”
April 10-26, 1997 — Musical “Jack the Ripper” premiers at the Boston Center for the Arts.
2014
September 7, 2014 – Russel Edwards’ Naming Jack The Ripper claims DNA evidence proves Aaron Kosminski was Jack the Ripper.