The reputation of Sir William Withey Gull

[Gman992]

I read this on a Jane Seymour fan site about the Jack the Ripper movie


"Commentary by Jonathan Sothcott of Sothcott Films:

Ultimately, there was nothing decisive in the files, but a suspect was already beginning to emerge: Sir William Withey Gull, the physician-in-ordinary to Queen Victoria. Gull, who had suffered a minor stroke in 1897, fitted the bill in terms of influence and medical knowledge; he had been known to wave bloody human hearts around at dinner parties, suggesting that, perhaps, he wasn't all there."

Has anyone heard this before???

[JTRSickert]

Hi lyn,

thank you again for making an appearance. I'm sure if Allen comes back on, he'll be delighted to hear your enthusiasm for restoring the monument.More than anything though, I hope this little forum can help restore Sir William's true reason for being a distinguished gentleman. As I have said, I believe he's more recognized now as being a Ripper suspect than for his significant medical accomplishments. Since we all know the Royal Conspiracy theory is dead i nthe water, we should try to salvage the reputation of this noble British man he gave everything for Queen and Country.

[lyn hotchin]

Thank you so much for your welcome!
I stumbled upon the site quite by accident, but have already enjoyed reading up on people's contributions. I will certainly be a keen member!
I too have been concerned about the rapid deterioration of Sir William Gull's monument, and find it quite surprising that it has been allowed to deteriorate to the extent it has. I too would be willing to do my bit in helping to restore it.

[JTRSickert]

Hi Lyn
Welcome and it is a pleasure to have you here. Once again, I am deeply honored to be addressing a member of Sir William Gull's family and I am gld that both you and Allen have made your own contributions to this forum. It would be nice if both of you did find the time to talk amongst yourselves. In the meantime, take care and hope to hear from you again.

[lyn hotchin]

Hello, I just want to point out that a major consequence of the whole Royal Family/Freemasonic conspiracy theory is that it tarnished the image and reputation of an extraordinary medical man, William Withey Gull. Excuse me, SIR William Withey Gull. Due to Stephen Knight's book, Alan Moore's graphic novel, the 1988 BBC miniseries, and the 2001 "From Hell" motion picture, most people today remember Gull as being a Jack the Ripper suspect, rather than his enormous contributions to medical science. His medical research led to the classification of hypothyroidism as well papers on cholera, rheumatic fever, and paraplegia. He was a surgeon for the bladder-stone operation of Emperor Napoleon III, even though the Emperor died. So, I think Gull should be remembered more for his brillance in the medical field. The man was knighted, for God's sake!!!! He was not being driven inside a coach by John Netley and slashing up prostitutes when the man was in his 70s and had a stroke the year before.

I wonder if any of Gull's surviving descendants (if there are any) have made any statements or tried to file lawsuits against his accusers. I would if I was a descendant.

I am related to Sir William Gull. He is my great, great Uncle. I am descended from his sister Elizabeth Mary Ann Gull who was married to Joseph Haddon Johnson.
It is interesting to read about him. Our family had handed the "Gull" name down until he was a suspect in the Ripper case ! It then ceased to become a middle name! I didn't realise until the other day that he attended Napoleon the 3rd at one stage. There is a lovely etching of this.
Would love to make contact with Allen Chilver if he is on the forum again. To find family is exciting.
I am an Australian leg of the family!

[JTRSickert]

No problem, sir. And again, I am glad to once again hear from you. Good luck with what you are working on.

I hope to hear from you again soon.

[AllenChilver]

Allen,
If you have an interest in the Ripper crimes and Sir William Gull, we would all be interested in hearing more of your feedback and be a frequent guest. I hope to hear from you.

I'm not sure I can commit to being a frequent guest. Professionally, I am involved with the wind-down of the London end of Lehman Brothers, which has almost wiped out my private life for over a year. But yes, I will try to visit when I can.

I claim no special knowledge or expertise, other than a familiarity with the geography. My "cadet" tag on this site is all too appropriate.

[JTRSickert]

Allen,
If you have an interest in the Ripper crimes and Sir William Gull, we would all be interested in hearing more of your feedback and be a frequent guest. I hope to hear from you.

[JTRSickert]

Hello AllenChilver,

Thank you very much for all the information you provided. I'm glad I was able to at least try to "set the record straight" concerning your great cousin and re-establish his correct reputation. And, may I say, for me personally, it is an honor to be addressed by a descendant of Mr. Gull. I guess now I have my own personal story to brag to my fellow bloggers. ha ha. Well, once again, I thank you for what you wrote and I wish you the best of luck in restoring Sir William's tomb and the plaque at the hospital. If there is anyting further i can do, please do not hesitate to ask.

P.S. If you bump into a descendant of John Netley, ask him if he'll give yo ua ride somewhere. HA ha. Just kidding

[AllenChilver]

I wonder if any of Gull's surviving descendants (if there are any) have made any statements or tried to file lawsuits against his accusers. I would if I was a descendant.

First - a very slight correction to your post - Sir William wasn't knighted, he was created a Baronet, which ranks just above a knighthood. The significance of this is that a baronetcy title is hereditary, which makes it somewhat easier to track down descendants. The current imcumbent is the 5th baronet, Sir Rupert William Cameron Gull, born in 1954, who (according to the Burke's Peerage register) lives in Capetown, South Africa.

I have no idea if Sir Rupert visits these forums, but perhaps I can offer myself as a somewhat poor substitute. Sir William Gull's mother, Elizabeth Chilver, was the younger sister of my great-great-great-great grandfather. (I think that makes him my first cousin, four times removed.) Most of our family still lives in the same north east area of the county of Essex where Sir William was born and raised, and eventually laid to rest. I was born in the same town of Colchester - though not, like him, aboard a barge.

To answer your question - yes, I've briefly thought about it, but it's not a practical proposition either legally or financially. I am, however, looking into restorative work on Sir William's tomb, which has been badly damaged over the years, and on the large bronze memorial plaque in the chapel at Guy's Hospital, which would similarly benefit from some specialist work. I also acquire papers and artefacts of his, as and when they become available.

Also - I must somewhat shamefacedly admit that my interest in the Whitechapel murders long predates my realisation of the family connection. I remember watching the BBC mini series as a child and, years later, enjoying the 1988 TV film that starred Michael Caine. However my real interest in the case was awakened when I joined one of the many "Jack the Ripper" tours of Whitechapel, conducted by a superb professional guide who delivered a mesmerising account of the story. I didn't recognise his name at the time, but it turned out to be Martin Fido. At the time, I worked in an office in Alie Street, about 5 minutes walk from Berner Street, and thereafter would frequently visit this and other sites relevant to the case.

So, having taken such a keen interest in the case and never having objected to the slur on Sir William's character before I discovered he was my cousin, I suppose it would be somewhat hypocritical of me to make a fuss now.

I'd like to thank you for your interest. Everything you say about Sir William's medical accomplishments is true. You omitted one item - it was Sir William Gull who published a seminal study on three young women patients with severe dietary problems - his work awoke medical understanding of this condition and he introduced a new term to languages around the world when he coined a name for the illness - "Anorexia Nervosa".

[JTRSickert]

Thanks for this thread, JTRSickert. I have long been concerned about the maligning of innocent men in connection with this case. Your namesake is probably first among them, but the damage extends to people such as Prince Albert Victor, Sir William Gull, Lewis Carroll, and Dr. John Williams. In many ways it's a shame that the legal defence of reputation does not reach beyond the grave.

Your welcome, Maurice. I agree with you that it's a shame that certain people have been dragged through the mud because of this case, including then names of those you have mentioned. However, my namesake, good ole Wally, I find fascinating because, out of all the suspects, he seems to be the one that keeps evolving. As I pointed out in more detail on a previous thread, Sickert has graduated from being an interested individual, then informant, then accomplice, and finally, the Ripper himself. I, ofcourse, am not a Sickert advocate as JTR, but his connection to the subject has fascinated me. Who knows? His next incarnation may be amateur sleuth who tried to catch JTR.

[The Grave Maurice]

Thanks for this thread, JTRSickert. I have long been concerned about the maligning of innocent men in connection with this case. Your namesake is probably first among them, but the damage extends to people such as Prince Albert Victor, Sir William Gull, Lewis Carroll, and Dr. John Williams. In many ways it's a shame that the legal defence of reputation does not reach beyond the grave.

[Graham]

Sir W W Gull also featured in another high-profile Victorian murder case, that of Charles Bravo. Gull was brought in as a second-opinion by Bravo's GP, and after examining Bravo more or less told the poor bloke that his number was up and that was that. Gull didn't add much to the investigation, merely confirming that Bravo's symptoms were those of antimony poisoning.

Cheers,

Graham

[JTRSickert]

Hello JTR. I appreciate your cogent observations here.

Unfortunately, the phenomenon you point out is all too common. One person slanders a historical figure in a book/cinema. Said figure cannot defend him/herself. An astute observer (like yourself) cries, "Foul!" Author remarks, "Ah! It is only fiction." Damage is done. Reputation is sullied. The worst part--the uncritical accept it as fact.

I shall say no more, except that you are remarkably clear sighted.

The best.
LC

Thank you, Lynn. your praise makes it all worth while. lol

[lynn cates]

yes

Hello Robert. Your observation is dead on.

The best.
LC