William Palmer
1824–56
The Rugeley poisoner. Practised medicine in Rugeley, Staffordshire, for several years from 1846. Became an owner and breeder of horses, soon getting into pecuniary difficulties. In 1855 charged with the murder by poisoning of John Parsons Cook, a betting man; subsequently it was found that Palmer’s wife and brother, who had died previously, had also been poisoned. Palmer was found guilty of Cook’s murder and hanged in 1856.
Source
DNB.
Bibliography
DNB: Dictionary of national biography. Edited by Leslie Stephen and Sidney Lee. 63 vols. and 2 supplements (6 vols.). London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1912. Dictionary of national biography 1912–90. Edited by H. W. C. Davis et al. 9 vols. London: Oxford University Press. 1927–96.
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