How dark was "Dark Annie"?

[kensei]

I also wonder how much the "dark" in her nickname may have referred to her personality, habits, or general demeanor within the context of being a prostitute. She is, after all, known to have been the absolute worst alcoholic of all the Ripper's victims.

[Phil Carter]

Hello Steve,

Yup, but shouldn't then it have been " the dark-haired woman" as opposed to "the dark woman?".

best wishes

Phil

[Steven Russell]

I think "Dark Annie" and "the dark woman" are references to her having dark hair, not dark skin. She is described elsewhere as having a fair complexion and blue eyes.

Best wishes,
Steve.

[kensei]

This may be too simple a reply but anyone is going to be paler after losing most of one's blood. I've never seen another reference to her having a dark complexion though.

[Phil Carter]

Hello all,

The nickname of Annie Chapman, or the name she seems to have been known by, was "Dark Annie". There have been some reasons forwarded in the past for this nickname.. but I venture to show something that perhaps many have not seen, and transcribe a passage from the following newspaper..

Lloyd's Weekly, Sunday September 16th 1888, issue No. 2391, page 1

Interviews with Mrs Richardson and her son.

"Our representative on Friday(14th Sept) again visited 29 Hanbury Street and saw Mrs Richardson, who is naturally greatly shocked that such a terrible crime should have been committed there...."

it continues...


"It seems certain that the murdered woman was known there. Mrs Richardson said:-

When I saw the murdered body I was so shocked I did not like to look particularly at her face, but I have no doubt it was the dark woman that used to come round with cotton and crochet work and I have bought off her many times when she said that she had been hard up. She used to come round these houses and other neighbours used to buy off her too and lend her money when she had not enough for her lodgings."

my emphasis

Now this article doesn't just call her "Dark Annie". She is described as a woman with a dark complexion. The words "the dark woman" leaves little room for doubt.

There is no trace of darkness of complexion in the photograph we have been presented with as being Annie Chapman.

Lloyd's Weekly has been seen to be a respectable and reliable newspaper in many other articles.

best wishes

Phil