The Valet’s Blade: Unraveling the Murder of Lord William Russell

Step into the fog-laden streets of Victorian London with “Echoes of the Past” as we dissect the shocking 1840 murder of Lord William Russell, a prominent Whig politician slain in his bed by his trusted Swiss valet, François Benjamin Courvoisier. What began as petty theft spiraled into a brutal throat-slitting and a staged burglary that captivated the nation. Explore the gripping trial at the Old Bailey, Courvoisier’s chilling confession, and the public execution that drew crowds of 40,000—including literary giants Charles Dickens and William Makepeace Thackeray. Discover how this betrayal fueled debates on crime literature, legal ethics, and the barbarity of public hangings, leaving an indelible mark on history. Tune in for a tale of class tensions, desperation, and the dark underbelly of domestic life.