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Smethurst's Luck, published 2013, ISBN 9780956287014

Picture
Thomas Smethurst was a retired doctor in his fifties who was tried at the Old Bailey in 1859 for the murder of his bigamous wife Isabella Bankes. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. 

Following the conviction there ensued a vigorous campaign in the press to the effect that the chemical analyses presented by the prosecution were highly suspect, the medical evidence was equivocal at best and the judge, Sir Frederick Pollock, was prejudiced against the prisoner and had misdirected the jury.

The Home Secretary received upwards of 200 letters, petitions and other communications mostly requesting that Smethurst be reprieved...

As well as narrating Smethurst's travails, and efforts of many eminent persons to get his conviction quashed, the book contains some fascinating details of the state of medical knowledge and practice at the time.

Extract from Smethurst's Luck
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Website and Contents © Peter Maggs 2023
  • Home
  • Books
    • Henry's Trials >
      • Extract from Henry's Trials
    • Smethurst's Luck >
      • Extract from Smethurst's Luck
    • Murder in the Red Barn >
      • Extract from Murder in the Red Barn
    • Reverend Duke and the Amesbury Oliver
  • Talks
    • Talk on Henry's Trials
    • Talk on Smethurst's Luck
    • Talk on Isambard Kingdom Brunel
    • Talk on the Murder in the Red Barn
    • BBC
  • Publications
    • The Amesbury Union Workhouse
    • The Separate System
  • Peter Maggs
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Family History
    • Mirli
    • BM Creeper >
      • The Significance of Stonehenge
      • Educating Ealing I: How Lady Byron Did It
      • Educating Ealing II: Church of England Primary in the 1920s
      • All Because of Crystal Palace
      • Innocent in Ealing - Extract
      • Miss McDonald