My Victorian Nightmare
Here you’ll find mysterious deaths, morbid fascinations, disturbing stories, and otherwise spooky events from the Victorian Era. If you consider yourself an enthusiast of creepy Victorian history, you probably already know about the age of spiritualism, the grizzly murders, the grave robbers, twisted pseudo psychotherapy, and memento mori – But I try to dig a little deeper. This was a time full of lace corsetry, romantic poetry, and a deep reverence and affection for the dead. It was a culture of shared sorrow, ornament and elegance, prudishness and scandal, bone chilling children’s stories, and for whatever reason, I just feel at home there. There’s something strangely comforting about the heebie jeebies this era gives me. If you find yourself equally enchanted by things that most people would find horrifying, this podcast is probably for you. Join the community on TikTok and Instagram @myvictoriannightmare for some daily 1800s nightmare fuel.
Episodes
5 days ago
5 days ago
In today's episode, Genevieve talks about the deeply disturbing world of Victorian Children’s stories and the twisted origins of some nursery rhymes of the time that we still enjoy today.
References for today's episode:
https://www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/04/the-creepy-and-harsh-lessons-of-early-childrens-books/
https://news.ufl.edu/archive/1996/10/todays-scary-stories-are-tame-compared-to-victorian-age-tales.html
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/penny-dreadfuls-victorian-children-literacy
https://www.representingchildhood.pitt.edu/victorian.htm
https://writingtoberead.com/2023/04/26/dark-origins-the-creepy-true-story-behind-alice-in-wonderland-darkorigins-aliceinwonderland/
https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/meet-springheeled-jack-the-leaping-devil-that-terrorized-victorian-england
Monday Jun 17, 2024
The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allen Poe
Monday Jun 17, 2024
Monday Jun 17, 2024
In today's episode, Genevieve covers the life and mysterious death of beloved gothic fiction writer, Edgar Allen Poe.
My Main References:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Edgar_Allan_Poe
https://www.popularmechanics.com/culture/a45782209/edgar-allan-poe-death-mystery/
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/still-mysterious-death-edgar-allan-poe-180952936/
Monday Jun 10, 2024
The Victorian Cult of Death
Monday Jun 10, 2024
Monday Jun 10, 2024
In this week's episode, Genevieve talks about elaborate Victorian funeral traditions, what was, and was not, acceptable mourning fashion of the day, Queen Victoria’s obsession with her dead husband that sparked the trends, the hardship and power of 19th-century widowhood, as well as the almost fetishistic keepsaking of the deceased.
Monday Jun 03, 2024
The Legend of Octavia Hatcher
Monday Jun 03, 2024
Monday Jun 03, 2024
In this episode, Genevieve covers the mysterious death of Octavia Hatcher – a women who died in 1891 who, according to legend, was buried alive.
Meet Your Host
Hi, my name is Genevieve Manion. This is my spooky podcast. I'm an amateur Victorian historian and self-perpetuating sufferer of anxiety. When I realized there wasn't enough content out there about the spookiest era in history, I just had to make some myself. Please enjoy my twisted little corner of the internet, and I'll see you in your nightmares.