Family History
Square Mile of Murder
- THIS EVENT HAS EXPIRED
- Tickets
-
Free - ticket required
- Dates and times
-
Thursday 23rd Mar 2023
2:30PM
- Age
- 16+ years
- Venue
The Mitchell Library is at the heart of Glasgow's infamous Square Mile of Murder - the site of four notorious crimes that took place during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Special Collections at The Mitchell has a number of resources, including original documents, where you can read about these cases and draw your own conclusions.
Join our librarians to explore resources relating to four notorious cases:
- Madeleine Smith
The privileged daughter whose torrid love
letters were read out in court. Did she murder her lover or was the case found
'not proven' because of her well-to-do background rather than lack of
evidence?
- Jessie McLachlan
Lucky not be
hanged, servant Jessie McLachlan still spent 15 years in Perth Prison
for a horrific murder that no-one - except the judge and
jury - thought she had committed. And the prime suspect? Never
brought to trial for lack of evidence.
- Dr Edward Pritchard
When Dr. Pritchard's wife and mother-in-law
died within a month of each other, an anonymous tip-off alerted the police to
the possibility of foul play. Their bodies were exhumed, poison discovered and
the philandering Pritchard became the last man to be publicly hanged
in Glasgow in front of 100,000 spectators.
- Oscar Slater
Wrongly-identified as the man seen leaving a
crime scene, Oscar Slater spent 18 years in prison for a murder he did not
commit. Although innocent, he happened to be foreign, Jewish and
living with a woman who was not his wife.
These murders, with the exception of the case of Dr.Pritchard, remain unsolved.
Accessibility guides
Read the accessibility guide for The Mitchell Library on AccessAble
Read our autism-friendly guide to the Mitchell Library
We also have a supply of books in Braille, large print and audio.
Accessible toilets
This accessible toilet is approximately 26m (28yd 1ft) from the main entrance. This accessible toilet is located to the rear right as you enter.
Assistance dogs
Guide and assistance dogs are welcome and a bowl of water can be provided.
Hearing loop
There is a fixed loop hearing assistance system.
This venue does not play background music.
Wheelchair access
There is a wheelchair to borrow. To borrow the wheelchair, please contact a member of staff.
Motorised scooters are allowed in public parts of the venue.
Baby changing
Baby feeding
Cafe or restaurant
The Café is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 4.15pm.
Click here to see the Café menu
Parking
Please note that there is on-street surrounding The Mitchell Library, from 8am-6pm Monday to Friday this is metered. As this is also a local residential area, please use these spaces considerately. Alternatively, there is an a NCP Car Park on India Street next to Charing Cross Train Station which is a 2 minute walk away.
Photography and video recording
On occasion, Glasgow Life will be on the premises to film and take photos.
Study spaces
Study spaces can be booked by calling 0141 287 7655. Click here for further information.
Free wifi
We provide free WIFI access and further access to over 50 PCs for public use
Location Map
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