The Word on the Street
home | background | illustrations | distribution | highlights | search & browse | resources | contact us

Broadside containing two reports, entitled 'Suicide and Murder!'

Commentary

This report begins, 'SUICIDE AND MURDER! A particular account of the unfortunate Muss Elizabeth Wilson, a female of seduction.' Published by W. Robertson, this report sold for a penny.

The first report tells of a young farmer's daughter from Fife, who poisoned herself after she fell for the charms of a nobleman 'far above her station in life', who used her and left her penniless. The report is not sympathetic to Miss Wilson, it ends, 'This lamentable occurrence ought to be a warning to young women from the delusion of persons above their rank.'

The second report concerns an execution of Janet Cooper, in Derby, England, for the murder, by starvation, of her 7 year old stepdaughter.

previous pageprevious          
Probable date of publication: 1835-1836   shelfmark: F.3.a.13(97)
Broadside containing two reports, entitled 'Suicide and Murder!'
View larger image

NLS home page   |   Digital gallery   |   Credits

National Library of Scotland © 2004

National Library of Scotland