H.H. Holmes was the alias of one of America's first serial killers. During the 1893 Columbian Exposition, he lured victims into his elaborate 'Murder Castle.'
IN THESE GROUPS
FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO DIED IN UNITED STATES
INFAMOUS SERIAL KILLERS
FAMOUS PEOPLE WHO DIED IN PENNSYLVANIA
FAMOUS PEOPLE IN CRIME
Show All Groups
QUOTES
“I was born with the devil in me. I could not help the fact that I was a murderer, no more than the poet can help the inspiration to sing.”
—H.H. Holmes
Who Was H.H. Holmes?
Born in 1861 in New Hampshire, H.H. Holmes became one of America's first serial murderers. Sometimes referred to as the "Beast of Chicago," Holmes killed many of his victims in a specially constructed home, which was later nicknamed the "Murder Castle."
…show more content…
Holmes was born Herman Webster Mudgett circa May 16, 1861, in Gilmanton, New Hampshire. Born into an affluent family, Holmes enjoyed a privileged childhood and was said to be unusually intelligent at an early age. Still, there were haunting signs of what was to come. He expressed an interest in medicine, which reportedly led him to practice surgery on animals. Some accounts indicate that he may have been responsible for the death of a friend.
Holmes's life of crime began with various frauds and scams. As a medical student at the University of Michigan, he stole corpses and used them to make false insurance claims. Holmes may have used the bodies for experiments, as well.
The 'Murder Castle' is Built
In 1885, H.H. Holmes moved to Chicago, Illinois. He soon found work in a pharmacy, using his now infamous alias, Dr. Henry H. Holmes. He eventually took over the business, and was later rumored to have killed its original
…show more content…
During his time in custody, he gave numerous stories to police, once admitting to killing 27 people. Other estimates range from 20 to as many as 200 victims, a total that would dwarf those of other murderers who followed in his bloody footsteps.
Convicted in 1895, Holmes appealed his case but lost. He met his end on May 7, 1896, when he was hanged for the Pitezel murder in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Legacy of a Killer
Holmes's life as one of America's first serial killers has been the subject of many books and documentaries, including The Devil in the White City (2003), by Erik Larson. The book was eventually adapted for the big screen, with Hollywood heavyweights Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio tapped to direct and star, respectively.
In 2017, the History Channel aired an eight-part series, American Ripper, in which Holmes's great-great-grandson, Jeff Mudgett, explored the theory of whether his forebear was actually Jack the Ripper. The series also investigated the rumor that Holmes had somehow escaped his execution, concluding with a visit to his gravesite to exhume his remains.
Videos
H.H. Holmes - The World's Fair
H.H. Holmes - The World's Fair
(TV-14; 1:45) H.H. Holmes - Chicago