Thomas Neill Cream

Dr. Thomas Neill Cream (May 27 1850 - November 16, 1892) was a serial killer, who claimed his first victims in the United States and the rest in England. Cream poisoned his victims and was executed after his attempts to frame others for his crimes brought himself to the attention of London police.

Gaslit streets of London

Using money from his recently deceased father's inheritance, Cream, then aged forty-one, went to Britain, arriving in Liverpool on October 1, 1891. He went to London and settled down in Lambeth. Victorian England was the centre of the vast and wealthy British Empire, but in places such as Lambeth there was poverty, petty crime and prostitution.

Related Topics:
Inheritance - Britain - Liverpool - October 1 - 1891 - Lambeth - British Empire

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On October 13 that year, Ellen "Nellie" Donworth, a 19-year-old prostitute, went out for a few drinks with Cream. She was severely ill the next day and died on October 16 from strychnine poisoning.

Related Topics:
October 13 - October 16

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On October 20, Cream dated a 27-year-old prostitute named Matilda Clover. She was ill following that evening and died the next morning; her death was at first recorded as related to her alcoholism.

Related Topics:
October 20 - Alcoholism

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On April 2, 1892, after a vacation in his home country of Canada, Cream was back in London where he attempted to poison a woman who, finding him suspicious, refused to consume the drinks he was trying to give her.

Related Topics:
April 2 - 1892

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On April 11 Cream met up with two prostitutes, Alice Marsh, 21, and Emma Shrivell, 18, and talked his way into their flat where he offered them bottles of Guinness. Cream was long gone by the time the strychnine he had added to the drinks took effect later that night. Both women died in agony.

Related Topics:
April 11 - Guinness

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