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** This is an archived, static copy of the Casebook messages boards dating from 1998 to 2003. These threads cannot be replied to here. If you want to participate in our current forums please go to https://forum.casebook.org **
Stephen, James Kenneth
Casebook Message Boards: Ripper Suspects: Specific Suspects:
Later Suspects [ 1910 - Present ]:
Stephen, James Kenneth
Author: carol hansen
Sunday, 16 January 2000 - 11:52 pm |        | What happened to the list of messages re:
JK Stephen as a suspect? Or am I missing
something? |
Author: Daniel J Ryan
Thursday, 23 January 2003 - 01:01 pm | | Good question. Where are they.
I am seeking some answers re J.K. Stephen. e.g. His tie up with Liverpool/Maybrick case.
Does anyone know? |
Author: Jeff Bloomfield
Thursday, 23 January 2003 - 10:25 pm | | Hi Daniel,
James Kenneth Stephen was the son of the Victorian
jurist James Fitzjames Stephen (and the nephew
of the critic and historian Leslie Stephen - the
father of Virginia Woolf). Judge James Fitzjames
Stephen was the judge who tried the Florence
Maybrick murder case. Stephen also was the judge
in the Israel Lipski murder case in 1887, which
is sometimes referred to in discussing the
Whitechapel Murders, because of the anti-Semitism
that first cropped up in the Lipski case, and
is an undercurrent in the Ripper's case. In fact,
"Lipski" was used in 1888 as a smear word against
Jews in the East End.
In handling the Lipski case, Stephen was under
pressure to look into eleventh hour evidence that
was pushed by William Stead that suggested that
Lipski was innocent (although found guilty). Stephen and Home Secretary Matthews were in
conference about possibly reducing the death
sentence when a confession from Lipski (since
then questioned by students of the case) convinced
them to uphold the original sentence. Lipski
hanged as a result.
Judge Stephen's handling of the Maybrick case
is very controvertial. He showed signs during
the trial of having some mental problems (break-
downs were a family problem among the Stephen
family - if you recall, Virginia Woolf eventually
committed suicide in 1941). He made statements
that were rather surprising to everyone who
heard him. For example, Florence Maybrick had
attended the famous horse race, the Grand National. In commenting on this, Judge Stephen
said, "She attended the Grand National, whatever
that is." In his summation, Stephen kept emphasizing Florence's adultery with Alfred
Brierly as much as the evidence the prosecution
had brought out about her possibly poisoning
her husband James Maybrick. This may have poisoned the jury's decision to find Florence
guilty of first degree murder. It was partly
responsible for the Home Secretary to advise to
change the death penalty against Florence to life
imprisonment (she was released in 1904). Judge
Stephen had a total breakdown within two years,
and died in an asylum in 1894. This was two
years after his son James Kenneth also died in
an asylum.
Jeff Bloomfield |
Author: Andy & Sue Parlour
Friday, 24 January 2003 - 02:52 pm | | Hello Jeff,
Re Sir James Fitzjames Stephen.
We have over the last 10 years researched the Stephen family probably more than most and hold much material going back to the roots of the Stephen's, for instance James Fitzjames's grandfather James Stephen MP actually wrote the act of abolition for William Wilberforce to present to Parliament.(They were in fact brother's in law).
Sir James Fitzjames was the prime mover in getting the laws changed in the UK allowing cremation, after successfully defending an ex-Indian Army Officer charged with cremating his wife in his back garden!
Sir James Fitzjames did not die in an asylum. He died in Red House Ipswich of which he and his wife Lady Mary Richenda rented a proportion of. Probably the death of his favourite son Kenneth hastened his demise.
Another small point regarding James Kenneth Stephen. Of all Ripper suspect's he is the only one who actually said that there was a warrant out for his arrest and the police were coming to get him.
A. |
Author: Jeff Bloomfield
Friday, 24 January 2003 - 10:23 pm | | Dear Andy and Sue,
Fascinating - I can't wait to see the final results of your research on the Stephen Family.
Of course, some of my review comments above were
based on what I read. The first person who I
know of pointed at James Kenneth Stephen was
Michael Harrison in his book on the Duke of
Clarence. Some effects of what he wrote effected
my above account. This includes the remarks about
the Justice's death in an asylum.
I have tried to read some of James Kenneth's
poetry. I find him a little hard to take.
Best wishes,
Jeff |
Author: Andy & Sue Parlour
Saturday, 25 January 2003 - 06:05 am | | Hello Jeff,
Thanks for that. The Stephen family as a whole are a fascinating group. JK Stephen was a very complex character, but at the same time a brilliant wit,scholar,speaker and intellectual. We firmly believe that had he not died so young he was destined for high office.We have all of JK Stephen's published books and also the copy that was published after JK's death by his brother Herbert. The Stephen line died out a few years ago with the death of Harry Lushington Stephen's son James Stephen who did not marry. Note the name Lushington. Vernon Lushington was the twin brother of Godfrey Lushington and Godfather to Harry (JK's younger brother).
A. |
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