Thomas Neill Cream

Thomas Neill Cream (27 May 1850 – 15 November 1892), also known as the Lambeth Poisoner, was a Scottish-Canadian serial killer who preyed on individuals in the United States and the United Kingdom. His criminal activities spanned the late 19th century, and his methods primarily involved the use of poison, making him one of the most notorious poisoners in criminal history.

Early Life

Thomas Neill Cream was born in Glasgow, Scotland, before his family emigrated to Quebec, Canada, when he was four years old. He excelled academically, particularly in the sciences, and went on to study medicine at McGill University in Montreal, where he graduated with a medical degree in 1876. Following his graduation, Cream moved to London, England, to further his studies at St. Thomas's Hospital Medical School.

Criminal Career

Cream's criminal activities began in Canada and the United States before he moved to London. His first known murder was that of a woman in Canada, whom he poisoned after she became pregnant with his child. He then moved to the United States, where he continued his murderous spree, often targeting women and using his knowledge of medicine to poison his victims without arousing suspicion.

In 1881, Cream was arrested in the United States for the murder of a woman by poisoning. He was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. However, due to a legal technicality, he was released after serving just ten years. Following his release, Cream moved to London, where he resumed his criminal activities.

In London, Cream's method of operation involved befriending women, often prostitutes, and then poisoning them. His choice of poison was usually strychnine, a highly toxic substance that causes agonizing death. Cream's murders caused a significant amount of public fear and outrage, particularly in the Lambeth area of London, leading to his nickname, the Lambeth Poisoner.

Capture and Execution

Cream's downfall came when he began sending letters to the police, boasting of his crimes and taunting the authorities. His arrogance and the detailed knowledge of the murders he displayed in his letters led to his capture. In 1892, Cream was arrested, tried, and found guilty of multiple murders. He was sentenced to death by hanging.

On 15 November 1892, Thomas Neill Cream was executed at Newgate Prison in London. His last words are famously reported to have been, "I am Jack the..." leading to speculation that he was about to confess to being Jack the Ripper, although this claim is widely dismissed by historians and criminologists due to the lack of evidence and the fact that Cream was in prison in the United States at the time of the Ripper murders.

Legacy

Thomas Neill Cream is remembered as one of the most notorious serial killers of the 19th century. His use of poison as a weapon, his brazenness in taunting the police, and the mystery surrounding his final words have made him a subject of fascination for true crime enthusiasts and historians alike.

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