Includes bibliographical references (pages 273-289) and index.
Contents:
Introduction: Dear Madam -- 1. Gossip: Major Eliot's maiden sisters -- 2. Tip-offs: Undermined coalmasters in Staffordshire -- 3. Threats: Lord Dorington's in danger -- 4. Obscenity: Peer's perversion uncovered -- 5. Libels: 'er at number 14 is dirty -- 6. Detectives say -- 7. Media: Herbert Austin robs men's brains -- 8. Local stories: And Winifred Simner sows discontent -- Conclusion: unsigned.
Summary:
"Receiving an unexpected and unsigned note is a disconcerting experience. In Penning Poison, Emily Cockayne traces the stories of such letters to all corners of English society over the period 1760-1939. She uncovers scandal, deception, class enmity, personal tragedy, and great loneliness. Some messages were accusatory, some libellous, others bizarre. Technology, new postal networks, forensic techniques, and the emergence of professional police all influence the phenomenon of poison letter campaigns. This book puts the letters back into their local and psychology context, extending the work of detectives, to discover who may have written them and why." -- Provided by publisher.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.