The Poisoner: The Life and Times of Victorian England's Most Notorious Doctor (2014) by British author Stephen Bates chronicles the chilling story of Dr. William Palmer, a Victorian-era physician hanged in 1856 for poisoning his gambling companion, John Cook, to steal his winnings. Dubbed the “Prince of Poisoners,” Palmer's case captivated the Victorian public, with evidence suggesting he murdered multiple family members and friends after insuring their lives. Bates draws on historical records to explore Palmer’s crimes, his trial at the Old Bailey, and the widespread fears of poisoning that gripped 19th-century England. Part true crime and part social history, the book offers a vivid portrait of a man whose venality shocked a nation.
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