How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection: The Birth of Modern Crime Fiction

The Victorian era, a time of great social and technological change, saw a surge in the popularity of crime fiction. This fascination was driven by a combination of factors, including the era's obsession with death and the rise of forensic science.

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

by Judith Flanders

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6217 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	569 pages

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The Victorian Obsession with Death

The Victorians had a morbid fascination with death. This was due in part to the high mortality rate of the era, which was caused by factors such as poor sanitation and inadequate medical care. As a result, Victorians were constantly confronted with the reality of death.

This fascination with death was reflected in Victorian art and literature. Paintings and sculptures often depicted scenes of death and mourning. Novels and short stories frequently explored themes of murder and detection.

The Rise of Forensic Science

The Victorian era also saw the rise of forensic science. This new field of study provided detectives with new tools and techniques for solving crimes.

One of the most important advances in forensic science was the development of fingerprinting. In 1892, Sir Francis Galton published a book on fingerprinting, which showed that each person's fingerprints are unique. This discovery revolutionized crime detection, as it allowed detectives to identify suspects with certainty.

Another important advance was the development of toxicology. In the Victorian era, poisons were a common method of murder. However, thanks to the work of toxicologists such as Dr. Alfred Swaine Taylor, detectives were able to identify and detect poisons more easily.

The Rise of the Detective Figure

The combination of the Victorian obsession with death and the rise of forensic science led to the creation of the modern detective figure. These detectives were brilliant, eccentric, and often obsessed with solving crimes.

One of the most famous detectives of the Victorian era was Edgar Allan Poe's Auguste Dupin. Dupin was a brilliant and eccentric detective who used his powers of deduction to solve crimes.

Another famous detective of the era was Wilkie Collins' Sergeant Cuff. Cuff was a methodical and efficient detective who was able to solve crimes using his knowledge of human nature.

The most famous detective of all time, however, is Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. Holmes was a brilliant and eccentric detective who used his powers of observation and deduction to solve crimes.

The Legacy of Victorian Crime Fiction

Victorian crime fiction had a profound impact on the development of modern crime fiction. The era's fascination with death, the rise of forensic science, and the creation of the detective figure all contributed to the birth of the genre.

Today, crime fiction is one of the most popular genres in the world. It continues to be influenced by the works of Victorian writers such as Edgar Allan Poe, Wilkie Collins, and Arthur Conan Doyle.

The Victorian era was a time of great change and innovation. It was during this time that the modern crime fiction genre was born. The era's fascination with death, the rise of forensic science, and the creation of the detective figure all contributed to the birth of this popular and enduring genre.

The Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

by Judith Flanders

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6217 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	569 pages

FREE