A gripping exploration of Victorian Britain’s hidden tragedies.
In nineteenth-century Britain, poverty, shame, and harsh moral judgement left many unmarried mothers facing impossible choices. In a society where illegitimacy meant disgrace and survival was uncertain, some women found themselves driven to desperate acts.
Desperate Women examines the little-known history of infanticide, baby farming, and the legal persecution of vulnerable women in Victorian Britain.
Drawing on court records, newspaper archives, and historical research, W. M. Rhodes reveals the harsh realities behind these tragic cases and the social conditions that shaped them.
Inside this book, you will discover:
• Real criminal cases from Victorian courts
• The hidden world of baby farming and illegal adoptions
• The harsh laws surrounding illegitimacy and infanticide
• How poverty, shame, and social pressure shaped women’s lives
• The legal reforms that slowly changed attitudes toward these crimes
Rather than sensationalising these events, Desperate Women places them within their wider social and historical context, revealing a society that judged harshly but offered little support.
This powerful work of historical true crime gives voice to women whose stories were often silenced and forgotten.
Perfect for readers interested in:
• Victorian history
• Historical true crime
• Women’s history
• Social justice and legal reform
CAUTION: This book contains descriptive accounts of child abuse and extreme violence. If you are sensitive to this material, it might be advisable not to read further.
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