The reputation of Sir William Withey Gull

[JTRSickert]

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.

[curious]

You can't libel the dead -- or at least in the States that's the way it is.

Very glad to read about Gull's accomplishments.

I learned something. Thank you for the post.

Curious

[lynn cates]

not only, but also

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

[ChrisGeorge]

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 don't know but quite possibly they are amused by the attention. One thing about it is that by this point so many people have been named as candidates for being the Ripper that it is getting a bit ridiculous.

That of course does not lessen the damage done to a good reputation, of course, and you make an excellent point that Sir William Withey Gull's reputation was a good one before the Royal Conspiracy theorists sullied it.

C

[Robert]

Unfortunately when someone has been libelled, then even if every single point in the argument is rebutted, there persists in some people's minds a feeling that "there must at least have been something funny about him, or why choose him as a suspect?"

[lynn cates]

yes

Hello Robert. Your observation is dead on.

The best.
LC

[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

[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

[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.

[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.

[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]

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

[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.

[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]

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.