Here you’ll find mysterious deaths, morbid fascinations, disturbing stories, and otherwise spooky events from the Victorian Era. For ad-free listening, witchy content, Victorian True Crime Extras and Dark Poetry, join The Fan Coven! If you consider yourself an enthusiast of creepy Victorian history, you probably already know about the age of spiritualism, the grisly murders, the grave robbers, twisted pseudo psychotherapy, and memento mori – But I try to dig a little deeper. This was a time full of lace corsetry, romantic poetry, and a deep reverence and affection for the dead. It was a culture of shared sorrow, ornament and elegance, prudishness and scandal, bone chilling children’s stories, and for whatever reason, I just feel at home there. There’s something strangely comforting about the heebie jeebies this era gives me. If you find yourself equally enchanted by things that most people would find horrifying, this podcast is probably for you. To listen ad-free, visit myvictoriannightmare.com and join my Patreon.
In this episode, Genevieve will discuss the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the shocking, little-known disasters and tragedies that began to unfold even before the smoke had cleared: the psychological unraveling of Mary Todd Lincoln, The Ford Theater collapse of 1893, the unthinkable murder/attempted suicide of the Rathbones and the numerous hauntings of the Ford Theater that still linger to this very day. Thank you to today’s sponsors! AquaOmega: One of the highest-dose omega-3 supplements per serving, no fish burps, and for every bottle sold, removes 1 lb. of plastic and debris from the ocean and coastlines. Use code VICTORIAN for 20% off at myaquaomega.com/VICTORIAN . Try the original estrogen-powered M4 skincare from Alloy. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram Post References: https://ghostcitytours.com/washington-dc/haunted-washington-dc/fords-theatre/ https://dcghosts.com/fords-theatre/ https://www.nps.gov/foth/learn/historyculture/the-collapse-of-ford-s-theatre.htm https://www.thevintagenews.com/2018/06/07/henry-reed-rathbone/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Abraham_Lincoln https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wilkes_Booth https://www.whitehousehistory.org/abraham-lincoln-funeral https://fords.org/an-african-american-hero-emerges-from-the-tragic-fords-theatre-collapse-of-1893/ https://msmagazine.com/2012/12/05/mary-todd-lincoln-a-lunatic-or-just-grieving/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Todd_Lincoln The_assassination_of_Abraham_Lincoln_%28IA_assassxxxxxx00linc%29.pdf https://www.americanheritage.com/haunted-major
In this episode, Genevieve will discuss the murder case of Dr. Hawley Crippen: one of the most sensational murder cases in English history. We’ll discuss The glitz and glamour, the torrid affairs, the astounding escape attempt by sea, and the modern scientific discoveries that have raised serious concerns that maybe, they got the wrong guy. Thank you to today’s sponsor! Spoiler: you can feel amazing in menopause. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram Post References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawley_Harvey_Crippen https://prashganendran.com/the-notorious-dr-crippen-and-the-hilldrop-crescent-murder/ https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-10802059 https://thehistorypress.co.uk/article/the-notorious-case-of-dr-crippen/
In this episode, Genevieve will discuss two Victorian theater tragedies, the lives and deaths of illusionist Sigmund Neuberger, otherwise known as the Great Lafayette, and actor William Terriss, as well as their alleged hauntings of the theaters where they met their tragic ends; The Adelphi Theater in London, and the Festival Theater in Edinburgh. Thank you to today’s sponsor! Try the original estrogen-powered M4 skincare from Alloy. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Subscribe to the Newsletter ! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening ! Today’s Instagram post References: https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/the-great-lafayette/ https://folkhorrorrevival.com/2017/01/08/the-great-lafayette https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/explore-the-uks-most-haunted-theatres-with-ghost-stories_1661281/ https://sancass.medium.com/the-man-who-had-two-funerals-bf740ad6a0fe https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigmund_Neuberger https://www.victorianvoices.net/ARTICLES/STRAND/1893B/S1893B-DogCemetery.pdf “Lafayette’s Funeral - Great Gathering in Edinburgh” - Liverpool Daily Post, May 15th, 1911. https://london-beyond-time-and-place.com/william-terriss-the-ghost-of-a-murdered-actor/ https://bowstreetmuseum.org.uk/adelphi-murder/ https://www.thomaswhodgkinson.com/features/hello/ https://www.haunted-britain.com/the-ghost-of-william-terriss.htm
In this episode, Genevieve will discuss one the 19th century’s most shocking maritime murder cases, the massacre on the Mary Russell in 1828: a story of the slow unraveling of a captain’s sanity, bloodshed, and survival against all odds on the open seas. Thank you to today’s sponsor! Spoiler: you can feel amazing in menopause. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaoAJhTDzc7/?img_index=1 References: https://www.mentalfloss.com/crime/mary-russell-19th-century-massacre-legal-case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Russell_murders https://historyireland.com/forced-from-this-world-massacre-on-the-mary-russell/ https://whyhorror.blog/2022/11/18/why-mary-russell/ https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4921892/4899086/5181471
In this episode, Genevieve will discuss the cast iron Fisk coffins of the mid-19th century, and the shockingly bizarre and disturbing proposals to electroplate dead bodies so that they may become golden, silver, brass or bronze statues that you could keep in your home forever. Thank you to today’s sponsor! Try the original estrogen-powered M4 skincare from Alloy. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Subscribe to the Newsletter ! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening ! Today’s Instagram post References: https://katieisms.substack.com/p/the-true-history-behind-the-stunning-coffins-in-frankenstein https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/morbid-monday-fisk-mummy-case https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electroplating https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/morbid-monday-electroplating-corpses https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Holmes_(mortician) https://mthistoryrevealed.blogspot.com/2013/10/polishing-mothers-silverand-mother-too.html?m=1 “Explosion of a Metallic Coffin” - The New York Times, Nov. 6th, 1858. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/how-the-quest-to-preserve-lenins-body-helps-the-living https://historicengland.org.uk/whats-new/news/survival-of-rare-anglo-saxon-coffins/ https://www.agweb.com/news/business/farmland/who-was-lady-red-farm-mystery-lingers-over-woman-iron-coffin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Genevieve will discuss the dark histories and meanings behind three 19th century masterpieces: Edvard Munch’s electrifying “The Scream,” Théodore Géricault’s devastating “Raft of the Medusa,” and John William Waterhouse’s haunting Pre-Raphaelite work, “The Lady of Shalott.” Thank you to today’s sponsor! Get your menopause treatment plan today. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! #AgeGracefully Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DaEAk2sDygf/?img_index=8&igsh=MTBidXNweWF3bmxreQ== References: https://www.artandobject.com/news/horrifying-history-behind-raft-medusa https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Raft_of_the_Medusa https://smarthistory.org/theodore-gericault-raft-of-the-medusa/ https://www.singulart.com/blog/en/2019/09/10/the-scream-the-story-behind-edvard-munchs-haunting-masterpiece/?srsltid=AfmBOooUh2TbUknjf3baVjDXU3qOX0O3MxRlNQAnqPUMFwS7st60Qb67 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scream https://smarthistory.org/munch-the-scream/ https://elephant.art/the-lady-of-shalott-taught-me-that-female-power-exists-beyond-fairytales-waterhouse-nabihah-iqbal-08122020/ https://chatgpt.com/c/6a3ae6cc-3698-83ea-b510-7f8e7c458bfd https://mydailyartdisplay.uk/2019/06/06/john-william-waterhouse-part-2/
In this, our 100th EPISODE, Genevieve will discuss the paranormal and downright bizarre events that have taken place in Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery in Chicago. We will also travel back to some of our favorite horrifying events, and we might run into some friends along the way! Thank you to today’s sponsor! Go to LumiGummies.com and use code VICTORIAN for 30% off your first order. Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZvpbe8DrgO/?img_index=1 References: https://www.bachelorsgrove.com/paranormal-history https://www.bachelorsgrove.com/history https://ghostcitytours.com/chicago/haunted-chicago/bachelors-grove-cemetery/ https://ghostwalks.com/articles/bachelors-grove-cemetery-graveyard-ghosts https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bachelor%27s_Grove_Cemetery https://www.uicradio.net/post/bachelor-s-grove-cemetery-one-of-illinois-most-haunted-places Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On this week’s episode, Genevieve will discuss one of the most unsettling true crime stories in English history: The (seriously) true story of Thomas Bedworth, a man who claimed to be compelled to confess to murder by the ghost of his victim, Elizabeth Beesmore. Thank you to today’s sponsors! Get your menopause treatment plan today. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Wake up with clearer skin, smoother hair, and cooler sleep. Use code MVNPOD for an extra 30% off at blissy.com/MVNPOD . Subscribe to the Newsletter ! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening ! Today’s Instagram Post References: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/63018/63018-h/63018-h.htm https://hauntedpalaceblog.com/2020/01/11/jealousy-bigamy-gin-and-a-ghost-the-murder-of-elizabeth-beesmore
On this week’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the rise and steep fall of the Lemp dynasty; the heartbreak and mysteries that surrounded the family, and the alleged hauntings of the Victorian mansion they made their home. Thank you to today’s sponsors! Go to https://OmahaSteaks.com and use promo code VICTORIAN at checkout for $35 off. Minimum purchase may apply. Subscribe to the Newsletter ! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening ! Today’s Instagram Post References: https://www.legendsofamerica.com/mo-lempmansion/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemp_Mansion https://ghostcitytours.com/st-louis/haunted-st-louis/lemp-mansion-haunted/ https://www.stlmag.com/history/william-lemp-sr/ https://brookstonbeerbulletin.com/historic-beer-birthday-william-j-lemp-jr/ https://www.stlmag.com/history/more-mysteries-uncovered-in-the-lemp-family-history/ https://www.stlmag.com/history/profiles/unveiling-the-real-johann-adam-lemp/
On this week’s episode, Genevieve will discuss The death – or murder, of Charles Bravo. More than a century later, his death remains one of England’s most chilling unsolved mysteries; a case tangled in forbidden affairs, social ambition, horrifying abuse and whispers of revenge. Was it suicide, was it a mistake or cold blooded murder? Thank you to today’s sponsors! Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram Post References: https://shadowsflyaway.blog/2017/01/18/horrible-murder-part-1-of-the-mysterious-and-unsolved-killing-of-charles-bravo/ https://london-overlooked.com/charles-bravo/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Bravo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florence_Bravo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Manby_Gully The Balham Mystery - The Liverpool Weekly Mercury, Aug. 5th, 1876 The Death of Mr. Bravo. The Balham Mystery - Reynold’s Newspaper, Aug. 13th, 1876 The Bravo Mystery - Freeman's Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser, Sat, Jul 29, 1876 The Bravo Case - Daily News, Fri, Jul 28, 1876
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss fascinating superstitions and beliefs that Victorians held about death and cemeteries, as well as some of the origins of those beliefs. And we will discuss how medical science in the 19th century wasn’t just horrific, it was groundbreaking, and not only developed cures, treatments and techniques that we still use today to save lives, but how medical science in the Victorian era led to astounding developments in forensic science that we still use to catch killers, and exonerate the innocent. Thank you to today’s sponsor, Alloy! Get your menopause treatment plan today. Visit myalloy.com and use code VICTORIAN for $20 off your first order! Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today’s Instagram Post References: https://friendsofoakgrovecemetery.org/victorian-funeral-customs-fears-and-superstitions https://nashvillehistoricalnewsletter.com/2022/01/16/funeral-customs-of-the-1800s https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superstition_in_Great_Britain https://www.britannica.com/topic/Why-Do-People-Throw-Salt-Over-Their-Shoulder https://www.mortonsalt.com/article/salt-history https://people.howstuffworks.com/why-do-people-throw-salt-over-shoulders.htm https://www.forensicscolleges.com/blog/history-of-forensics https://boroughsofthedead.com/poisonous-prohibition-brooklyn-heights/ https://www.theguardian.com/science/blog/2010/sep/23/forensic-science-murder https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Norris_(medical_examiner) A Dictionary of Superstitions by Iona Pie and Moira Tatum The Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore by Jacqueline Simpson and Steve Roud
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the elegant and insulting language of flowers, Victorian Floriography and the demonically haunted Sallie House in Atchison, Kansas. Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today's Instagram Post References: A Standard History of Kansas and Kansans, written and compiled by William E. Connelley, Chicago : Lewis, 1918 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R_v_Dudley_and_Stephens https://usghostadventures.com/americas-most-haunted-trending/sallie-house/ https://associationofparanormalstudy.com/2023/09/20/the-haunting-of-the-sallie-house/ https://strangeandtwisted.com/blogs/stories/the-sallie-house-haunting-america-s-most-scary-paranormal-case?srsltid=AfmBOoo8PtAjh7i2WxK1TFGSPpYOQ080t_ZgT0siw8cPZ3xViOkt2SMF https://www.ksgenweb.org/archives/1918ks/biof/finneycc.html https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ks-hauntedatchison https://theclio.com/entry/187138 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Language_of_flowers https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/the-language-of-flowers-an-alphabet-of-floral-emblems-1857/
Check out Hidden History ! In this preview, Dr. Harini Bhat discusses the Dancing plague of 1518. The city of Strasbourg was overtaken by one of the strangest epidemics in recorded history. It wasn't the plague, it wasn't a war, it was dancing. Dr. Harini Bhat is a clinical pharmacist and storyteller obsessed with the moments in history that still can't be fully explained. Every week she investigates real events that defy easy explanation. Mass hysterias. Vanished civilizations. Medical oddities. Strange signals. Unexplained phenomena that keep repeating across centuries, as if history is trying to tell us something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the case of the Hammersmith Ghost, The Hope Street Body Snatching Scandal of 1826, as well as little-known, strange, disturbing and silly Victorian fads. Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today's Instagram Post References: https://blogs.loc.gov/law/2015/10/the-case-of-a-ghost-haunted-england-for-over-two-hundred-years/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammersmith_Ghost_murder_case https://www.icysedgwick.com/hammersmith-ghost/ https://mymacabreroadtrip.com/the-hope-street-body-snatching-affair-liverpool/ https://bodyartforms.com/blog/victorian-nipple-rings?srsltid=AfmBOorl2S_72ZTUej_m4alj0heFYvEp7RVnseQtTwzaCBwsdCOIb8Tg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victorian_headless_portrait https://medium.com/promptly-written/the-victorians-wore-nipple-rings-4589a9b69bd4 https://publicdomainreview.org/collection/zander-gym/m
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the terrifying Victorian St. Mark’s Eve practice of waiting for wraiths (the ghosts of future dead people) to reveal themselves and walk through church doors at midnight. She will also discuss haunted and cursed objects like the Delhi Purple Sapphire, The Conjured Chest and the lost Franklin Exhibition-inspired painting, “Man Proposes, God Disposes.” Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today's Instagram Post References: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Mark%27s_Eve https://www.telelib.com/authors/I/IrvingWashington/prose/bracebridgehallvol1/bracebridgehall021.html https://www.vice.com/en/article/doomed-to-die-on-st-marks-eve/ https://allpoetry.com/St.-Mark's-Eve---A-Fragment https://whatliesbeyond.boards.net/thread/10973/watching-nearly-departed-marks-eve https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/cursed-amethyst-natural-history-museum https://history.ky.gov/news/new-details-about-the-cursed-chest https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_Proposes,_God_Disposes https://stephenliddell.co.uk/2018/09/10/the-tale-of-the-cursed-amethyst-at-the-natural-history-museum-in-london/ http://heronallensociety.co.uk/the-purple-sapphire-mystery-solved.html
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the numerous failed assassination attempts made on Queen Victoria’s life, and the simply horrifying history of Griffith Park in Los Angeles California Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today' Instagram Post References: https://www.ebiketoursla.com/blog/zovbltqpf6w9m8nsgs9vbjmyz9kfgm https://laghosttour.com/the-old-zoo-at-griffith-park/ https://patch.com/california/northhollywood/griffith-park-haunted-cursed-heart-los-angeles https://pepperbough.com/uncategorized/2019/12/17/the-strange-case-of-griffith-park/ https://laghosttour.com/the-spirits-of-griffith-park/ https://creepyla.com/2016/10/04/haunted-curse-ghosts-monsters-griffith-park/ https://vintagelosangeles.org/griffithpark/ https://revolutionsnewsstand.com/2025/04/16/mass-murder-in-griffith-park-by-jennie-grey-from-western-worker-vol-2-no-42-october-16-1933/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.latirnes.com/news/local/la-me-haunted30oct30/ https://www.revolt.tv/article/2022-08-09/185295/burning-body-found-hanging-from-a-tree-in-los-angeles?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Queen-Victoria-Eight-Assassination-Attempts/ https://www.history.com/articles/eight-times-queen-victoria-survived-attempted-assassinations
This is a sneak peek of the Victorian True Crime Extras episodes that Patreon subscribers receive each week! To receive My Victorian Nightmare ad-free, and receive Victorian True Crime Extras, visit Patreon to find out how ! In this episode, we will have a tale of ghostly revelations, prophetic dreams, jailbird snitches, dogs digging up bones and a twist you won’t see coming. This is the murder case of Russell Colvin in 1812. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the dark history of Cleopatra’s Needle and the most haunted cemetery in Edinburgh, Greyfriars Kirkyard. Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today's Instagram Post References: https://hauntedpalaceblog.com/2022/06/07/the-curse-of-cleopatras-needle/ https://greyfriarskirk.com/community/history-heritage/ https://eatdrinktravel.com/most-haunted-graveyard/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greyfriars_Kirkyard https://edinburgh.org/blog/tales-from-beyond-the-grave-in-edinburgh/ https://thelittlehouseofhorrors.com/greyfriars-kirkyard/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Porteous_(soldier) https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/147056916/george-lockhart https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2004/apr/24/ukcrime.scotland?utm
On today’s episode, Genevieve will discuss the terribly haunted Cheesman Park in Denver, Colorado, and the unthinkable murder of Emily Harrison Coombes, otherwise known as The Plaistow Horror. Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening! Today's Instagram Post References: https://denverterrors.com/cheesman-park/ https://visitdenver.com/blog/post/haunted-cheesman-park/ https://www.legendsofamerica.com/co-cheesemanpark/ https://www.denverpost.com/2010/11/01/four-preserved-skeletons-unearthed-at-denvers-cheesman-park-once-a-cemetery/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Coombes_(murderer) https://www.historicmysteries.com/major-crimes/robert-coombes/34645/ https://www.theguardian.com/books/2016/may/05/the-wicked-boy-the-mystery-of-a-victorian-child-murderer-kate-summerscale-review https://www.murdermayhem.uk/p/the-boy-murderer-who-became-a-war https://www.jack-the-ripper-tour.com/generalnews/matricide-in-plaistow-1895/
On today’s episode, Genevieve will take us back to creepy field trips of yore: the murder scenes, spooky cemeteries and cult compounds of episodes past, and give a little more dimension to each episode where we took these trips. Subscribe to the Newsletter! Subscribe to the Patreon free trial for ad-free listening!
