Dr William Palmer

William Palmer worked as an apprentice at a pharmacy for a while when he was a teenager, but was sacked when he was 17-years-old for stealing. He was then later sacked from another job, when it was discovered that he was running an illegal abortion clinic.

Eventually he qualified as a doctor at a hospital in London. He set up practice as a GP, and married, later becoming a father. But Palmer’s life went downhill. He became addicted to gambling and drinking, and his practice suffered too. But suspiciously, as Palmer’s debts increased, the size his family decreased.

First his mother-in-law dies, who had been insured for £13,000. Four of his children also died, along with a few of his own creditors. But then Palmer killed a friend of his, and the victim’s wealthy family demanded an autopsy. Poison was found in his system, and Palmer was immediately accused. He was found guilty on 14th June 1856, and hanged in front of an audience of over 50,000 people.