Have Ripperologists Been Polled As To Who They Think Jack Really Was?

[Phil H]

Why not start one?

So long as there's a "none of the above" category, I'll vote - maybe several times!!

Phil

[Abby Normal]

I always wanted to ask this. I've read so many theories over the years. I've been wondering, even if you don't agree, is there a name that the majority of Ripperologists seem to gear their attention towards as to who "Jack" actually was? Which suspect seemingly gets the most votes?

I think this is an interesting question and i would like to see a poll on this. it would be good to have an updated poll on the favored suspects of Casebook members.

[Phil H]

fromhell - you haven't responded to your own thread, so I don't know how real your interest is, but I did some searching. These old threads might be of use to you:

Name your top 3 suspects with top 3 reasons why you think so...

http://forum.casebook.org/showthread.php?t=4666

Your top 3 suspects?

http://forum.casebook.org/showthread.php?t=3994

Cordially

Phil

[The Grave Maurice]

I've been wondering, even if you don't agree, is there a name that the majority of Ripperologists seem to gear their attention towards as to who "Jack" actually was?

Short answer: no, there isn't. Phil H summarizes the situation quite well. Still, welcome, and please hang around; there is much to be learned and thought about here.

[Phil H]

Welcome.

I think you'll find your answer if you explore old posts and polls and maybe do a search or two.

I don't know how much you know about the case, but the answer often seems to depend on the question asked - and also changes with time.

Historically, if you went back to the 50s and before you had the traditional "toff" (probably a doctor) in top hat, cape and with a Gladstone bag.

In the 60s after the emergence of Macnaghten's views, M J Druitt was the star turn.

Stephen Knight introduced the "Royal Conspiracy" in the mid 1970s which is now outdated and demonstrably wrong, but remains perhaps the best known theory to the general public - contenders, Prince Albert Victor and Sir William Gull.

In the 80s, "Kosminski" came out of the shadows, shown by Martin Fido and the Swanson marginalia to be the favoured suspect of two top cops of the time. A little later the American Tumblety was found to be mentioned in period letter.

Since then we have had the "Diary" (almost certainly a forgery) with Maybrick as Ripper, and Patricia Cornwell's ineffective attempt to label the artist Sickert as the killer.

So on Casbook you'll find Druittists, Diaryites, Tumbletonians, Kosminskibuffs and many others. There are some personal theories and some protagonists have disowned their own ideas at times.

But search around and you'll find some very interesting answers to your question.

Enjoy Casebook,

Phil

[fromhell]

I always wanted to ask this. I've read so many theories over the years. I've been wondering, even if you don't agree, is there a name that the majority of Ripperologists seem to gear their attention towards as to who "Jack" actually was? Which suspect seemingly gets the most votes?