New photos of Donald S. Swanson

[robhouse]

I am very happy to be able to share the following photos of Donald Sutherland Swanson, courtesy of the Swanson family. As far as I know, most (if not all) of these photos will be new to the Ripperology community.

Only two of the following photos are explicitly dated (the Nov 1881 photo, and the family shot from May 1885). Some of the dates for the other photos may be estimated based on the ages of Swanson's children... the remaining are just ballpark guesses. Anyway, it is nice to see such an excellent variety of shots spanning from Swanson's early 20s, right up to around 1920.

I want to give a big thank you to the Swanson family for their generosity in sharing these photos. And thanks to Chris Phillips, who met with the family, scanned the photographs, and generally facilitated the whole meeting, etc.

Rob H



This is presumably a photograph of a young Donald Sutherland Swanson (about 20 years old) with his parents, circa late 1860s/ early 1870s—-i.e. around the time Swanson joined the Metropolitan Police force.... There is some debate whether this is Swanson at all, but in my opinion, it certainly looks like him. Chris Phillips: "His mother died in 1873, so if it is he can't be more than 25 in the photo. In fact I wonder whether it might have been taken before he left for London (1867?)."




mid 1870s?




late 1870s or early 1880s?




late 1870s or early 1880s? (same as above with contrast adjustment)




late 1870s or early 1880s?




Photo dated November 1881




Donald Sutherland Swanson and family, c.1884




Swanson and family, photo dated May 1885.




Late 1880s?




early to mid 1890s?





mid-late 1890s?




1900-1905?




c. 1910 (This and the following photo were taken on the same day)





c. 1910




Mid 19-teens? (this and the following photo were taken on the same day)




Mid 19-teens?





c. 1920?

[Stephen Thomas]

Wow,

Thanks Rob, and thanks to whoever gave you the pictures.

And good luck with your book.

[Ally]

Really amazing Rob. Thanks to you and to the Swanson family for sharing them with us. Truly a very nice find.

[Chris]

Thanks for posting these photos, which give us a good impression of Donald Sutherland Swanson's appearance throughout his adult life.

This is presumably a photograph of a young Donald Sutherland Swanson (about 20 years old) with his parents, circa late 1860s/ early 1870s—-i.e. around the time Swanson joined the Metropolitan Police force.... There is some debate whether this is Swanson at all, but in my opinion, it certainly looks like him. Chris Phillips: "His mother died in 1873, so if it is he can't be more than 25 in the photo. In fact I wonder whether it might have been taken before he left for London (1867?)."

I think this is a particularly nice photo. It's worth adding that though there was initially some doubt about the identification, DSS's surviving granddaughter has confirmed that it shows him with his parents, John Swanson (d. 1879) and Mary (née Thomson) (d. 1873).

More information about DSS's family and career can be found in the wiki section:

http://wiki.casebook.org/index.php/Donald_Swanson

[Chris]

And of course I should repeat Rob's thanks to the members of the Swanson family who were kind enough to allow me to scan these photos, and who generously spent the better part of a day discussing them, DSS and the Ripper case.

[robhouse]

I have put together a collage showing all the images together, in my best guess of chronological order.

RH

[The Grave Maurice]

This is great! Many thanks to Rob and Chris and the Swanson family.

[Ally]

In my hurry to proceed to the photos I missed the last sentence. Thanks to Chris P too!

[lynn cates]

good work

Hello Rob and Chris. Good work. Well done!

Cheers.
LC

[Archaic]

Excellent work, Rob and Chris!

And many thanks to the Swanson family for kindly agreeing to share the photos.

Best regards,
Archaic

[Jenni Shelden]

Way to go guys!

Genius!

[Tom_Wescott]

My thanks and admiration go out - once again - to Rob House and Chris Phillips. And my utmost admiration to the Swanson family for willingly allowing Chris Phillips into their home!

Rob,

Are you and Chris co-authoring the book?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[robhouse]

Hi Tom,

I am actually writing the book myself, although Chris's research has been invaluable to the project. Chris and I have been sort of co-researching Kozminski for several years now, and the book would certainly not be happening at all were it not for his research. I really cannot say enough about Chris's stunning work over the years, and the many great finds and insights he has contributed.

Rob

[Tom_Wescott]

Hi Rob. You're preaching to the choir. Chris' knowledge of the case is more well-rounded and indepth than most of us chatty Kathy's on the boards, myself most certainly included. And you're obviously no slouch either, or else Chris wouldn't be working with you. Outside of my boy Le Grand, Kosminski is the only other suspect who I feel holds promise, but sorely needs more research to progress the case against him. I have no doubt that your book will one of the most important we see in the next decade...perhaps century!

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Phil Carter]

Hello Chris and Rob,

My admiration and thanks to you both! A very very nice piece of work, and the lovely reaction from the Swanson family, which says much of you Chris, and you, Rob. Well done gentleman. I salute the Swanson family for their generosity and kindness in sharing these lovely photos with us all.

best wishes

Phil