Jack the Ripper Double Feature Night

This double-feature event brings together two complementary talks that examine the Whitechapel murders through biography, evidence, and cultural impact, focusing on Catherine Eddowes, her legacy, and the wider consequences of Victorian violence.

Part One: Catherine Eddowes and the Birth of Ripper Culture

In the first talk, author and historian Dr Lucy Andrew explores the life of Catherine Eddowes, restoring her as a real woman shaped by poverty, relationships, and resilience, rather than a footnote in a murder narrative.

The talk then examines how, in the aftermath of the Whitechapel murders, a phenomenon now commonly described as “Ripper culture” emerged — a cottage industry of speculation, sensationalism, and storytelling that began in the Victorian period and continues to thrive today. Dr Andrew considers how this culture developed, why it endures, and what it has meant for the memory of the victims themselves.

Part Two: The Ripper in the Family?

In the second talk, The Ripper in the Family, historian and researcher Andy Sloane examines the disturbing case of Christopher Charles Robinson, a man said to have been a cousin of Catherine Eddowes, and whom she was later reported to have “watched hang.”

This presentation critically explores:

• Whether the claimed family connection between Robinson and Eddowes was genuine

• Whether the two individuals actually knew one another

• The brutal 1865 murder committed by Robinson against his sweetheart

• How themes of mental ill health, violence against women, and public fascination with crime remain relevant today

Together, these talks offer a thoughtful, evidence-led reassessment of the Ripper story — moving beyond myth and fixation on the killer to address real lives, cultural legacy, and the enduring impact of violence against women.

Content note: This event discusses historical violence against women and may not be suitable for all audiences.

About the Venue

Our monthly events are based at Penn Bowling Club, 10 Manor Road, Penn, Wolverhampton, WV4 5PY. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible, has good parking, toilet facilities and a bar. For users of public transport, the 15/16 bus routes along the Penn Road can be followed by a short walk up Manor Road to the venue.