The Matter of Dr Stanley: Part I

Abstract

Ripper researchers are familiar with Leonard Matters' theory that the Whitechapel murderer was a surgeon who sought revenge on those responsible for his son's death from a sexually transmitted disease. Matters claimed to have come across the story in an article written in Spanish and published in an unnamed journal in Argentina. He presented the story in his book, 'The Mystery of Jack the Ripper', in 1929, but he had published earlier versions of it in the press starting in late 1926. The source of the story has never been found. Indeed, many researchers are convinced that the story was an invention by the author; in short, they believe that Matters was a fraud. Others have taken a position more favourable to Leonard. The compilers of 'The Complete Jack the Ripper A to Z', for instance, do not subscribe to his theory, but argue that "neither [his] character nor his book warrant this condemnation: failure to trace his main source does not justify concluding that he invented it". We may never know the truth about the origin of Matters' story. Yet, if he really did invent it, it is likely that such a pattern of behaviour might be repeated. Is it possible to evaluate this likelihood from the details of Matters' life and work?