1888 – the media representation of the Whitechapel murder victims : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in History at Massey University

Abstract

This thesis aims to answer two questions about the victims of Jack the Ripper. First, how were the victims of this murderer portrayed by their contemporary media and the police who worked the case. Second, it seeks to assess the literary legacy of Jack the Ripper, often referred to as ‘Ripperology’ and how it has evolved over time. This will bring together and analyse the field of research that has grown up around the female victims: Martha Tabram, Mary Ann “Polly” Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elisabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes and Mary Jane Kelly, and the media surrounding their killing by Jack the Ripper.