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The scandalous story of Victorian Scotland鈥檚 high society poisoner

9 July 2017

On 9 July 1857, one of Victorian Scotland’s most notorious murder trials ended in controversy as a verdict of ‘not proven’ saw suspected poisoner Madeleine Smith walk out of court a free woman.

A member of Glasgow’s genteel high society, the nation was scandalised by the shocking details of Madeleine’s behaviour.

Against all rules of Victorian decency she had embarked on a passionate relationship with, horror upon horror, a man of the lower classes. And then, to top it all, she was charged with his murder.

In 1855, aged 19, Smith had returned to Glasgow after finishing her education in London and met Pierre Emile L’Angelier, a lowly clerk from Jersey. Smitten, the two became lovers, meeting in secrecy and writing each other candid letters.

Two years later, however, Madeleine’s affectations cooled and she became engaged to another far more suitable young man. In February 1857, Smith begged L’Angelier to return the incriminating letters fearing that they could ruin her reputation. A heartbroken and jealous L’Angelier refused.

By March of that year he was dead from arsenic poisoning.

The discovery of the letters – and a receipt for the purchase of arsenic – saw Madeleine charged with murder. Her trial became the sensation of the year but her stylish and assured composure in court won Smith a legion of admirers.

Such was her notoriety that, following her release, Smith left Scotland for an anonymous life in London. After a failed marriage, she eventually moved to New York and married again. She died in America in 1928.

Madeleine’s story went on to inspire several plays and films and also the Wilkie Collins novel .