Generational Ripperologists

[Tom_Wescott]

I would say that 'modern Ripperology' came into it's own around the centenial with the publication of Fido and Begg's books, followed by A-Z. This is when a larger, concerted effort was made to separate the fact from fiction. I think Stewart P Evans could be called the first of the 'New Ripperologists' for the publication of 'The Lodger' in 1995, arguably the benchmark for suspect books to come after.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Stewart P Evans]

'Ripperology'

Hello Stewart,
I agree. However, I was still woundering if there were any Ripperologists near my age, because I, at that time, hadn't met anyone out of this forum that shared my interest. I still have yet to meet one but I have realized there are many "younger" posters.
Funny thing is I have met even less on here who share what you call my "Niche" or special interest in the case.
Thanks for replying.
Yours truly

'Ripperology' is something that didn't really exist in 1961 when I first started reading on the subject. My interest didn't become really serious until I read the books by Cullen and Odell when they came out in 1965. When I went to the murders sites in 1967 I was alone and knew no one else who was interested in the subject.

It wasn't until the 1980s that I really met anyone with the depth of interest that I had. So for over 20 years it was a lonely pursuit for me. So I was only 12 years old when I started reading up on the murders and 16 years old when I bought the Cullen and Odell books and 18 years old when I visited and photographed the murder sites.. So being young and having an interest in the murders isn't something new. It's just that now, with the Internet, you share it with many others with a similar interest.

[Scott Nelson]

You know, I was following you around to the murder sites in 1967. You didn't know it, but I was right behind you all the way. I took pictures where you took pictures.

[Tom_Wescott]

You know, I was following you around to the murder sites in 1967. You didn't know it, but I was right behind you all the way. I took pictures where you took pictures.

Wow, so you were gay before it was cool to be gay?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Monty]

I wonder where the subject would be in 20 years time.

Its been a rapid ride recently.

Monty

[Tom_Wescott]

In 20 years time Jeff Leahy and Spiro will be running the field.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Stewart P Evans]

So

...
It wasn't until the 1980s that I really met anyone with the depth of interest that I had. So for over 20 years it was a lonely pursuit for me. So I was only 12 years old when I started reading up on the murders and 16 years old when I bought the Cullen and Odell books and 18 years old when I visited and photographed the murder sites.. So being young and having an interest in the murders isn't something new. It's just that now, with the Internet, you share it with many others with a similar interest.

Damn - I do love that word 'So'.

[Stewart P Evans]

Creepy

You know, I was following you around to the murder sites in 1967. You didn't know it, but I was right behind you all the way. I took pictures where you took pictures.

As I recall I did get a creepy feeling that I was being followed...

[Tom_Wescott]

Yep, you're a ho for the 'So'. Guess you should be writing about Soho?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Stewart P Evans]

Wescott

In 20 years time Jeff Leahy and Spiro will be running the field.
Yours truly,
Tom Wescott

What about that young whipper-snapper Wescott???

[Tom_Wescott]

You think I'd be any part of a field ran by Leahy and Spiro?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Robert]

Hi Stewart

I've corresponded with a chap who was also ploughing a more or less lonely furrow, visiting archives and so forth. In fact, he is still without the internet and isn't even on the phone.

In twenty years' time it won't be crumbling sites that need to be photographed before they disappear. It will be crumbling Ripperologists.

[Errata]

Hi Stewart

I've corresponded with a chap who was also ploughing a more or less lonely furrow, visiting archives and so forth. In fact, he is still without the internet and isn't even on the phone.

In twenty years' time it won't be crumbling sites that need to be photographed before they disappear. It will be crumbling Ripperologists.

There's a sweet old man at the Vatican archives like that. It's not that the books are going anywhere, but he is one of the last people on the planet who can read and understands those books. He's the last guy who can put together a 15th century diary on alchemy and a 12th century tract on mathematics written by people nobodies ever heard of, and tell you how those nobodies changed your life.
It's not just the knowledge that's getting lost. It's the ability to parse that knowledge. I wish people made more of an effort to preserve the thinking and not just the thoughts.

[mariab]

Errata wrote:
There's a sweet old man at the Vatican archives like that. It's not that the books are going anywhere, but he is one of the last people on the planet who can read and understands those books. He's the last guy who can put together a 15th century diary on alchemy and a 12th century tract on mathematics written by people nobodies ever heard of, and tell you how those nobodies changed your life.
Errata,
the Biblioteca Vaticana in Rome was closed for a couple years due to restauration, but it opened again at the end of the summer. It's visited by TONS of medieval specialists in history and music. There are hundreds of medieval specialists, both in Europe and America, both Professors and doctoral candidates. As a fact, the number of medieval specialists in the entire world is even higher than the one for specialists of the 19th century (such as myself). Someone I hope to work for in 2013 at the University of Frankfurt (named Ackermann) regularly conducts research at the Vatican Archives, as the General Editor of the Palestrina edition. Rest assured that none of these sources are forgotten or ignored.

[Monty]

You think I'd be any part of a field ran by Leahy and Spiro?

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

Hmmm,

Would the feeling be mutual?

Monty