Montague Druitt

Montague John Druitt: A Life Cut Short

Imagine a life filled with promise and potential, only to be cut short by mystery and tragedy. Montague John Druitt (1857-1888) was an English barrister and educator whose story is as intriguing as it is enigmatic. Born into a world of privilege, he studied at Winchester College and the University of Oxford before embarking on his career path. His journey through life was marked by both success and uncertainty, culminating in one of history’s most perplexing mysteries.

From Schoolmaster to Barrister

Druitt began his professional life as a schoolmaster, working hard to supplement his income. He played cricket for local teams and even served as treasurer and secretary of the Blackheath Cricket Club. His involvement in sports was not just a hobby; it showcased his leadership skills and dedication. Yet, one fateful day, he found himself dismissed from his post at the Blackheath boys’ school without clear reasons.

The Disappearance and Death

On 26 May 1884, Druitt was elected to the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) on the recommendation of his fellow Butterflies player Charles Seymour. His cricket career continued with minor matches against various teams, including England bowler William Attewell and Lord Harris. However, in November 1888, he disappeared without a trace.

On 21 December 1888, Druitt’s body was found floating in the River Thames, off Thornycroft’s torpedo works, Chiswick. The coroner’s inquest concluded that Dr. Montague Druitt committed suicide by drowning on January 2, 1889, while in an unsound state of mind. His estate valued at £2,600 (equivalent to £365,800 today) was left behind.

The Jack the Ripper Connection

One of the most intriguing aspects of Druitt’s life is his connection to the infamous Jack the Ripper murders. The timing of his death and disappearance coincided with the last known murder attributed to the Ripper, leading many to speculate that he might have been involved. Assistant Chief Constable Sir Melville Macnaghten’s private memorandum suggested Druitt as a suspect, citing the coincidence between his death and the end of the murders.

Stories about Jack the Ripper drowning in the Thames circulated, with some claiming he was an insane Russian doctor who escaped justice by committing suicide. The similarities between the crimes led to the supposition that they were committed by the same assailant, but the case remains unsolved.

Theories and Speculations

Over the years, various theories have emerged linking Druitt to Jack the Ripper. Some suggest he was dismissed because of his homosexuality or pederast status, which may have driven him to suicide. Others believe that the money found on his body was intended for a blackmailer. However, there is no concrete evidence supporting these claims.

Macnaghten incorrectly described Druitt as a 41-year-old doctor and cited allegations that he ‘was sexually insane’ without specifying the source or details of the allegations. The three Macnaghten suspects – Druitt, Kosminski, and Ostrog – also match the descriptions of three unnamed suspects in Major Arthur Griffiths’ Mysteries of Police and Crime (1898).

Inspector Frederick Abberline appeared to dismiss Druitt as a suspect on the basis that the only evidence against him was the coincidental timing of his suicide shortly after the fifth murder. Other officials involved in the Ripper case, Metropolitan Police Commissioner James Monro and pathologist Thomas Bond, believed that the murder of Alice McKenzie on 17 July 1889, seven months after Druitt’s death, was committed by the same culprit as the earlier murders.

Legacy

Druitt remains a favoured suspect in the Ripper murders throughout the 1960s. Theories linking him to Jack the Ripper continue to circulate, with some suggesting that Druitt might have had connections with the British royal family and Freemasonry. However, historians consider claims of a conspiracy between Druitt and others to be ‘imaginative tale[s] lacking evidential support.’

Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Druitt’s story continues to fascinate those who delve into the dark corners of history. His life, marked by both success and tragedy, serves as a reminder that sometimes, the truth is more complex than we can imagine.