The Trial and Respite of George Victor Townley for Wilful Murder.

Trial; Townley, George Victor, Defendant

Publication Date: 1864

About this Item

Derby: W. Bemrose & Sons, [1864]. With "Dr. Winslow's Analysis of the Convict's Mind," A Copy Owned by a British Crime Collector [Trial]. Townley, George Victor [b. 1838], Defendant. The Trial and Respite of George Victor Townley for Wilful Murder. With Original Documents and Correspondence Now First Published; Dr. Winslow's Analysis of the Convict's Mind, Portraits, Autographs and Plan. Derby: W. Bemrose & Sons, [1864]. [iii], 6-70 pp. Portraits. Plan. Octavo (7-1/4" x 4-3/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet in printed wrappers. Negligible light soiling to exterior, early owner signature (St. John Crookes/ Sunderland/ 1864) to head of front wrapper, moderate toning to text, slightly heavier in places. $1,250. * Only edition. In 1863 Townley murdered his girlfriend, Elizabeth Goodwin, after she broke off her engagement to him. An expert witness at Townley's trial was Dr. Forbes Winslow, one of the founders of forensic psychiatry and the author of The Plea of Insanity, In Criminal Cases (1843). Despite Winslow's testimony, Townsend was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was granted a reprieve, however, after evidence was produced confirming hereditary insanity and a history of delusional behavior. Public outrage over the reprieve led to a second committee investigation, which judged him to be sane. Our account includes memorials from the public and the committee's report, along with Winslow's account of a visit with Townley in prison. Townley was later transferred to an asylum, where he committed suicide. The portraits are of Townley and Goodwin; the plan shows the scene of the crime. Crookes was a British antiquary and bibliophile with an interest in true crime, particularly provincial murder cases. OCLC locates 11 copies in North American law libraries. Catalogue of the Library of the Harvard Law School (1909) II:1210. Seller Inventory # 69419

Bibliographic Details

Title: The Trial and Respite of George Victor ...

Publication Date: 1864

Binding: Soft cover

Illustrator: Derby: W. Bemrose & Sons, [1864]