Demon barber of Fleet Street

[110466]

Is Sweeney Todd a true story? If it's fictional who created him?

[dundurn]

Urban myths are not confined to the 21st Century

[jno]

Much of it is true, says Wikipedia, but there seems to be some internal dispute there on the subject.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweeney_Todd

[dundurn]

I'm sorry jno, but I just don't read it that way. Pretty ruthless paraphrasing of the Wikipedia text gives -
Sweeney Todd ..appear(s) in various works starting in the mid-19th century..... In some versions of the story.. his lover, friend, and/or partner in crime.. is variously Marjorie, Sarah, Nellie, Shirley or Claudetta. ....In most versions of the story, Sweeney either helps or hinders (sometimes both) the love affair of a young woman. Sweeney Todd may not be a wholly fictional character. In two books, the.. writer Peter Haining argues that Sweeney Todd was a historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800. Nevertheless, other researchers who have tried to verify his citations find nothing in these sources to back Haining's claims. There is, however, a similar story reputed to have occurred on the Rue de la Harpe in Paris that likely influenced the stories of Todd.

I don't find that an unequivocal vote for a non-fictional character, rather the reverse.

[jno]

well, I did point to the continuing dispute on this! The differing details don't matter - this is clearly an urban legend, as you say, so details always mutate. But it may still have a historical basis; so may Robin Hood and King Arthur. As far as I know Haining is a reputable writer; but that doesn't mean he's correct, of course.

[MustafaTickl]

Sweeny Todd went to Fleet Street and Mrs Lovett's shop wherein are sold The Worst Pies in London. Mrs Lovett is much concerned that her pie-making competitor is doing better than her because she is "popping pussies into pies" !!!

[lovejoy]

Mustafa, I wish there was a shop near me selling pussy pie

[Postdog]

Just saw this post. this was in the paper this week.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles /news/news.html?in_article_id=509190&in_page_i d=1770

[lumination]

he is very real. i just finished reading a book on him. he was hanged at Newgate prison in 1802. he was uspected on murdering over 160 people. i read that he hid all his victims under St.Dunstans Church, in the vaults.