Jack the Ripper: His Life and Crimes in Popular Entertainment Available to Purchase

Almost certainly, the single reason for the enduring appeal of this rather sordid series of murders is the name “Jack the Ripper”, which is easy to explain. It was written at the end of a letter, dated 25 September 1888 and received by the Central News Agency on 27 September 1888. They, in turn, forwarded it to the Metropolitan Police on 29 September. It was couched in lurid prose and began “Dear Boss …”. It went on to speak of “That joke about Leather Apron gave me real fits…” (“Leather Apron”was a John Pizer, briefly suspected at the time of...