Thomas Griffiths Wainewright
Encyclopedia
Thomas Griffiths Wainewright (October 1794 – 17 August 1847) was an English artist, writer and criminal, widely believed to have been a multiple poisoner.
but was orphaned when he was very young. His father's identity has never been firmly established. He may have been an apothecary
, although it is more likely that he was a lawyer and came from a family that practised the law over many years. His mother died giving birth to him but of her interesting background we have a very complete picture. She was Ann, the daughter of Ralph Griffiths (1720-1803), for many years the editor of The Monthly Review
. Thomas and his father lived in an extended family situation with his maternal grandfather at Linden House at Turnham Green in what was then London's rural periphery. Griffiths was well connected in the literary world and Thomas must have profitted from the society that visited Griffiths home. When Griffiths wrote his will in 1803 Thomas's father was already dead and he himself died later in that year. The child then came under the care of his maternal uncle, George Griffiths. He was educated at the expense of his distant relative, Charles Burney
, the headmaster of the Greenwich academy that Wainewright attended. His background was most advantageous and his early adulthood was the evidence that he profited from it.
Wainewright subsequently served as an officer in the guards and as cornet in a yeomanry regiment.
, Blackwood's Magazine
and The Foreign Quarterly Review
. He is, however, most closely linked with The London Magazine, to which, from 1820 to 1823, he contributed some clever but flippant art criticism and articles under the noms-de-plume of Janus Weathercock, Egomet Bonmot and Cornelius van Vinkbooms. His success in publication would have been assisted by his famous grandfather. Wainewright was a friend of Charles Lamb who thought well of his writing and in a letter to Bernard Barton
, styles him "the kind, light-hearted Wainewright." He also practised as an artist and was trained by John Linnell
and Thomas Phillips
. He exhibited at the Royal Academy. He made illustrations for the poems of William Chamberlayne, and from 1821 to 1825 he exhibited narratives based on literature and music at the Royal Academy
, including a Romance from Undine, Paris in the Chamber of Helen and the Milkmaid's Song. None of these works survives.
In the 1960s the author Donald McCormick would also discuss that Wainewright was a friend of William Corder, the murderer of Maria Marten in the Red Barn Murder
in Polestead, England in 1827. The two met when Corder visited London and joined some intellectual circles.
and be able to withdraw large sums from her account. First in 1822 and then in 1824. The second time left the account empty.
In 1828, the Wainewrights were in financial trouble and forced to move in with an elderly uncle, George Edward Griffiths. He soon died, leaving his house and a small monetary inheritance to his nephew Thomas. In 1830, Mrs. Abercromby was convinced to settle her will in favor of Eliza, her daughter from her first marriage, instead of her daughters from the second marriage. Wainewright's mother-in-law died days later. Helen and Madeleine Abercromby, Eliza's half-sisters, moved in with the Wainewrights. Helen died ten months later, only 20-years-old.
France
, was seized by the authorities as a suspected person and imprisoned for six months. He had in his possession a quantity of strychnine
, and it was widely suspected that he had poison
ed, not only his sister-in-law, his uncle, but also his mother-in-law and a Norfolk
friend, although this was never proved. He returned to London
in 1837, but was at once arrested on a charge of forging thirteen years before and a transfer of stock. It would seem that the authorities used the tenable case of forgery to transport him for life for the unprovable murders. He was sent to Hobart
Town, Australia
on the Susan, arriving 21 November 1837. While in prison he was asked why he poisoned his sister-in-law Helen Abercrombie, to which he replied: "Yes; it was a dreadful thing to do, but she had very thick ankles."
in the Hobart Town hospital on 17 August 1847. He is buried in an unknown grave.
The Essays and Criticisms of Wainewright were published in 1880, with an account of his life, by W. Carew Hazlitt; and the history of his crimes suggested to Charles Dickens
his story of Hunted Down and to Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton
his novel of Lucretia. His personality, as artist and poisoner, has interested latter-day writers, notably Oscar Wilde
in Pen, Pencil and Poison (Fortnightly Review, Jan. 1889), and A. G. Allen, in T. Seccombe
's Twelve Bad Men (1894). Wainewright has been the subject of three biographical studies: Janus Wethercock by Jonathan Curling (Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1938) and Robert Crossland's Wainewright in Tasmania (OUP, Melbourne, 1954), and more recently his life and writings, and that which has been written about him were the basis of the poet Andrew Motion's creative biography
, Wainewright the Poisoner (2000). It is likely, as suggested by Havelock Ellis
, that Wainewright was never normal after the hypochondriac period of his life when he was on the verge of insanity if not actually insane.
Arthur Conan Doyle
also mentions (or possibly mentions) Wainewright in the story The Adventure of the Illustrious Client
as "no mean artist", but spells his name without the middle "e".
Early life
Wainewright was born into affluence and London literary society in Richmond, London, EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
but was orphaned when he was very young. His father's identity has never been firmly established. He may have been an apothecary
Apothecary
Apothecary is a historical name for a medical professional who formulates and dispenses materia medica to physicians, surgeons and patients — a role now served by a pharmacist and some caregivers....
, although it is more likely that he was a lawyer and came from a family that practised the law over many years. His mother died giving birth to him but of her interesting background we have a very complete picture. She was Ann, the daughter of Ralph Griffiths (1720-1803), for many years the editor of The Monthly Review
Monthly Review (London)
The Monthly Review was an English periodical founded by Ralph Griffiths, a Nonconformist bookseller. The first periodical in England to offer reviews, it featured the novelist and poet Oliver Goldsmith as an early contributor. William Kenrick, the "superlative scoundrel", was editor from 1759 to...
. Thomas and his father lived in an extended family situation with his maternal grandfather at Linden House at Turnham Green in what was then London's rural periphery. Griffiths was well connected in the literary world and Thomas must have profitted from the society that visited Griffiths home. When Griffiths wrote his will in 1803 Thomas's father was already dead and he himself died later in that year. The child then came under the care of his maternal uncle, George Griffiths. He was educated at the expense of his distant relative, Charles Burney
Charles Burney (scholar)
Charles Burney, Junior FRS, DD was an English classical scholar, schoolmaster and clergyman.-Family and education:...
, the headmaster of the Greenwich academy that Wainewright attended. His background was most advantageous and his early adulthood was the evidence that he profited from it.
Wainewright subsequently served as an officer in the guards and as cornet in a yeomanry regiment.
Literary career
In 1819 he embarked on a literary career, and began to write for The Literary Pocket-BookLiterary Pocket-Book
The Literary Pocket-Book was a collection of works edited by Leigh Hunt and containing material by Hunt, Percy Bysshe Shelley, John Keats, and Bryan Waller Procter. The collection was put together during 1818, and proved so successful that Hunt was able to sell the copyright for £200 a year later...
, Blackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine
Blackwood's Magazine was a British magazine and miscellany printed between 1817 and 1980. It was founded by the publisher William Blackwood and was originally called the Edinburgh Monthly Magazine. The first number appeared in April 1817 under the editorship of Thomas Pringle and James Cleghorn...
and The Foreign Quarterly Review
Quarterly Review
The Quarterly Review was a literary and political periodical founded in March 1809 by the well known London publishing house John Murray. It ceased publication in 1967.-Early years:...
. He is, however, most closely linked with The London Magazine, to which, from 1820 to 1823, he contributed some clever but flippant art criticism and articles under the noms-de-plume of Janus Weathercock, Egomet Bonmot and Cornelius van Vinkbooms. His success in publication would have been assisted by his famous grandfather. Wainewright was a friend of Charles Lamb who thought well of his writing and in a letter to Bernard Barton
Bernard Barton
-External links:* at Find-A-Grave...
, styles him "the kind, light-hearted Wainewright." He also practised as an artist and was trained by John Linnell
John Linnell (painter)
John Linnell was an English landscape painter. Linnell was a naturalist and a rival to John Constable. He had a taste for Northern European art of the Renaissance, particularly Albrecht Dürer. He also associated with William Blake, to whom he introduced Samuel Palmer and others of the...
and Thomas Phillips
Thomas Phillips
Thomas Phillips was a leading English portrait and subject painter. He painted many of the great men of the day including scientists, artists, writers, poets and explorers.-Life and work:...
. He exhibited at the Royal Academy. He made illustrations for the poems of William Chamberlayne, and from 1821 to 1825 he exhibited narratives based on literature and music at the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
, including a Romance from Undine, Paris in the Chamber of Helen and the Milkmaid's Song. None of these works survives.
In the 1960s the author Donald McCormick would also discuss that Wainewright was a friend of William Corder, the murderer of Maria Marten in the Red Barn Murder
Red Barn Murder
The Red Barn Murder was a notorious murder committed in Polstead, Suffolk, England, in 1827. A young woman, Maria Marten, was shot dead by her lover, William Corder. The two had arranged to meet at the Red Barn, a local landmark, before eloping to Ipswich. Maria was never heard from again...
in Polestead, England in 1827. The two met when Corder visited London and joined some intellectual circles.
Marriage and family life
On 13 November, 1817, Wainewright married Eliza Frances Ward. Wainewright had inherited £5250 from his grandfather, invested in his name. He received £200 pounds a year. Following his marriage, Wainright placed most of his inheritance in trust for Eliza. However, his extravagant lifestyle landed him in debt. On two separate occasions, Wainwright forged signatures to receive power of attorneyPower of attorney
A power of attorney or letter of attorney is a written authorization to represent or act on another's behalf in private affairs, business, or some other legal matter...
and be able to withdraw large sums from her account. First in 1822 and then in 1824. The second time left the account empty.
In 1828, the Wainewrights were in financial trouble and forced to move in with an elderly uncle, George Edward Griffiths. He soon died, leaving his house and a small monetary inheritance to his nephew Thomas. In 1830, Mrs. Abercromby was convinced to settle her will in favor of Eliza, her daughter from her first marriage, instead of her daughters from the second marriage. Wainewright's mother-in-law died days later. Helen and Madeleine Abercromby, Eliza's half-sisters, moved in with the Wainewrights. Helen died ten months later, only 20-years-old.
Criminal
Owing to his extravagant habits - he was somewhat of a dandy - Wainewright's affairs became deeply involved. In 1830 he insured the life of his sister-in-law Helen Abercrombie with various companies for a sum of £18,000, and, when she died in the December of the same year, payment was refused by them on the ground of misrepresentation. Wainewright retired to Boulogne in July MonarchyJuly Monarchy
The July Monarchy , officially the Kingdom of France , was a period of liberal constitutional monarchy in France under King Louis-Philippe starting with the July Revolution of 1830 and ending with the Revolution of 1848...
France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, was seized by the authorities as a suspected person and imprisoned for six months. He had in his possession a quantity of strychnine
Strychnine
Strychnine is a highly toxic , colorless crystalline alkaloid used as a pesticide, particularly for killing small vertebrates such as birds and rodents. Strychnine causes muscular convulsions and eventually death through asphyxia or sheer exhaustion...
, and it was widely suspected that he had poison
Poison
In the context of biology, poisons are substances that can cause disturbances to organisms, usually by chemical reaction or other activity on the molecular scale, when a sufficient quantity is absorbed by an organism....
ed, not only his sister-in-law, his uncle, but also his mother-in-law and a Norfolk
Norfolk
Norfolk is a low-lying county in the East of England. It has borders with Lincolnshire to the west, Cambridgeshire to the west and southwest and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the North Sea coast and to the north-west the county is bordered by The Wash. The county...
friend, although this was never proved. He returned to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in 1837, but was at once arrested on a charge of forging thirteen years before and a transfer of stock. It would seem that the authorities used the tenable case of forgery to transport him for life for the unprovable murders. He was sent to Hobart
Hobart
Hobart is the state capital and most populous city of the Australian island state of Tasmania. Founded in 1804 as a penal colony,Hobart is Australia's second oldest capital city after Sydney. In 2009, the city had a greater area population of approximately 212,019. A resident of Hobart is known as...
Town, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on the Susan, arriving 21 November 1837. While in prison he was asked why he poisoned his sister-in-law Helen Abercrombie, to which he replied: "Yes; it was a dreadful thing to do, but she had very thick ankles."
Late life and legacy
During his ten years in the colony he did eventually enjoy a certain amount of freedom. After initially working on the road gang he became an orderly in the hospital and he was able to work as an artist and painted portraits in the homes of his subjects. Wainewright completed over one hundred portraits on paper using coloured wash, pencil and ink during his years in Hobart. They survive not only in public museums, but also in private collections throughout Australia, some having remained in the families of his sitters. They depict the officialdom, professionals and members of the elite, husbands, wives and children, of early Hobart. Many, particularly those of women and children, are in a Romantic Regency style with the sitters somewhat languidly posed if the portraits show more than heads and shoulders. Wainwright has been summarily dismissed as a mawkishly sentimental painter of women, and although the female portraits do not comprise the greater part of the body of his work, amongst the most distinctive of his paintings are portraits of women and children. Many of these Tasmanian portraits are of considerable importance in the documentation of the colony's historically significant figures. A self-portrait was completed in this period. Wainewright had a conditional pardon granted 14 November 1846, he died of apoplexyApoplexy
Apoplexy is a medical term, which can be used to describe 'bleeding' in a stroke . Without further specification, it is rather outdated in use. Today it is used only for specific conditions, such as pituitary apoplexy and ovarian apoplexy. In common speech, it is used non-medically to mean a state...
in the Hobart Town hospital on 17 August 1847. He is buried in an unknown grave.
The Essays and Criticisms of Wainewright were published in 1880, with an account of his life, by W. Carew Hazlitt; and the history of his crimes suggested to Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
his story of Hunted Down and to Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton
Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton
Edward George Earle Lytton Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton PC , was an English politician, poet, playwright, and novelist. He was immensely popular with the reading public and wrote a stream of bestselling dime-novels which earned him a considerable fortune...
his novel of Lucretia. His personality, as artist and poisoner, has interested latter-day writers, notably Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s...
in Pen, Pencil and Poison (Fortnightly Review, Jan. 1889), and A. G. Allen, in T. Seccombe
Thomas Seccombe
Thomas Seccombe was a miscellaneous English writer and, from 1891 to 1901, assistant editor of the Dictionary of National Biography, writing over 700 entries. Educated at Felsted and Balliol College, Oxford, taking a first in Modern History in 1889.-Works:*Twelve Bad Men *The Age of Johnson *The...
's Twelve Bad Men (1894). Wainewright has been the subject of three biographical studies: Janus Wethercock by Jonathan Curling (Thomas Nelson and Sons, London, 1938) and Robert Crossland's Wainewright in Tasmania (OUP, Melbourne, 1954), and more recently his life and writings, and that which has been written about him were the basis of the poet Andrew Motion's creative biography
Biography
A biography is a detailed description or account of someone's life. More than a list of basic facts , biography also portrays the subject's experience of those events...
, Wainewright the Poisoner (2000). It is likely, as suggested by Havelock Ellis
Havelock Ellis
Henry Havelock Ellis, known as Havelock Ellis , was a British physician and psychologist, writer, and social reformer who studied human sexuality. He was co-author of the first medical textbook in English on homosexuality in 1897, and also published works on a variety of sexual practices and...
, that Wainewright was never normal after the hypochondriac period of his life when he was on the verge of insanity if not actually insane.
Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
also mentions (or possibly mentions) Wainewright in the story The Adventure of the Illustrious Client
The Adventure of the Illustrious Client
"The Adventure of the Illustrious Client", one of the 56 Sherlock Holmes short stories written by British author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, is one of 12 stories in the cycle collected as The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes.-Plot summary:...
as "no mean artist", but spells his name without the middle "e".