H. Holmes The First American Serial Killer - 1332 Words

H. H. Holmes Henry Herman Holmes was known to many as the first American serial killer. Better known as just H. H. Holmes, he committed many murders in a suburb on the south side of Chicago during the late 1800’s. Holmes once admitted to police that he killed 27 people, but many actually predict that the number of murders he committed is near 200 (Handley). So what is the real number of people that he killed? Let’s take a closer look at the facts of Holmes’ life, occupation, and the mansion that he built to determine how many people he may have actually murdered. H. H. Holmes was born as Herman Mudgett on May 16th 1861, and lived in a rural town in New Hampshire. Holmes had a privileged childhood and expressed interest in the medical field. He grew up during the period of the civil war and newspapers were always filled with images of death on the battlefield. These images had a significant influence on Holmes and he used this as an outlet to practice his desire to become a doctor. Holmes would capture wild animals and begin experimenting on them by dissecting them with a pocket knife (Biography.com). This eventually evolved into Holmes entering medical school at the University of Michigan. This is where he studied and mastered the art of surgical dissection. Holmes graduated in 1884 at the top of his class as a surgical doctor (Dorfman). After college, Holmes moved around a bit until he settled down in the south side of Chicago Illinois where he worked for aShow MoreRelatedCase study on Dr. H. H. Holmes1268 Words   |  6 Pages Clinical Psychology Case study of Dr. H.H. Holmes Case Overview Dr. H.H. Holmes is considered America s first serial killer. The number of victims is estimated to be 27, and later discoveries of corpses revealed as many as 200. Holmes initially committed crimes such as fraud and forgery. In 1893 he built a three story building and named it the castle as a hotel, drug store, and commercial store fronts for the Chicago World s Fair. Holmes used the windowless hotel to lure his victims inRead MoreDr. H. H. Holmes: Americas First Serial Killer Essay1527 Words   |  7 Pagesinspiration to sing – I was born with the Evil One standing as my sponsor beside the bed where I was ushered in the world, and he has been with me since† (Troy, Taylor). This statement was a quoted confession from Dr. H. H. Holmes himself in 1896. Holmes was the first major serial killer in America, even though he came after many others in his time. Thomas Neil Cream, the Austin Axe Murderer, the Bloody Benders, and Jack the Ripper came before him. His name was origi nally Herman Webster Mudgett. HeRead MoreAnalysis Of Erik Larson s The Devil 1250 Words   |  5 Pagesthe evolution of a serial killer. In doing so, Larson is able to explore the details of the fair in-depth, while keeping the interest of the reader. By using this organizational structure, Larson is also able to tell the gruesome tale of a serial killer without scaring away his audience. Overall, the pairing of these two stories helps to balance out the novel. Throughout parts I and II of the novel, Larson switches between the plotline of Burnham and the plotline of Holmes. The 1893 ChicagoRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Devil Of The White City : Murder, Magic, And Madness At The Fair2200 Words   |  9 PagesThe textbook definition of a serial killer is someone who murders more than three victims one at a time in less than a month (â€Å"Serial† 1). H.H. Holmes was a devious and handsome young man. He was a very dangerous person that could not be trusted. On the other hand, the textbook definition of an architect is a person who designs buildings and in many cases helps supervise those projects. One of America’s greatest architects in history was Daniel Hudson Burnham. He led America to do great things inRead MoreIn The Devil In The White City, Erik Larson Tells The Story1063 Words   |  5 PagesIn The Devil in the White City, Erik Larson tells the story of two men, an architect and a serial killer, operating in Chica go during the 1890’s This novel describes the years surrounding the building of the 1893 Chicago World s Fair, also known as The World s Columbian Exposition, which was designed to commemorate the landing of Columbus in America. It is divided into four parts with the first three primarily taking place in Chicago between the years 1890-1893. However, Part four of the novelRead MoreThe White City By Erik Larson887 Words   |  4 Pagessurrounds the events of the 1893 Columbian Exposition World’s Fair in Chicago. Larson does a magnificent job intertwining the lives of two men who were changed by the events of the fair. Daniel H. Burnham, the brilliant architect behind the legendary 1893 World s Fair and Dr. H. H. Holmes, the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their death. The purpose of this review is not only to summarize Larson’s fascinating and satisfying work which vividly portrays one of the last grandRead MoreH. H. Holmes2284 Words   |  10 PagesDR. H. H. Holmes, One of Americas first Serial Killers. Tommy Smith Criminal Justice Case Study Instructor: Dennis Stephens 3/24/11 Bibliography Borowski, John (November 2005). Estrada, Dimas. ed. The Strange Case of Dr. H. H. Holmes: Worlds First Serial Killer. West Hollywood, CA: Waterfront Productions. â€Å"H. H. Holmes Biography.† 2011 AE Television Networks http://www.biography.com/articles/H.-H.-Holmes-307622?part=1 Holmes, H. H. Holmes Own Story. Burk McFetridge, 1895. Ramsland, KatherineRead MoreAmericas First Serial Killers2909 Words   |  12 PagesFORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY | H.H HOLMES | AMERICAS FIRST SERIAL KILLER | | Kevin Hutter | 10/20/2011 | H.H HOLMES, THE FIRST AMERICAN SERIAL KILLER, IN THE FOLLOW RESEARCH PAPER WE WILL BE LOOKING AT PSYCHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HIS CRIMES TROUGH HIS EARLY CHILDHOOD TILL HIS EXECUTION IN THE LATE 1800’S | Herman Webster Mudgett, better known under the alias of Dr. Henry Howard Holmes, was one of the first documented American serial killers in the modern sense of the term. Mudgett was bornRead MoreFemale Serial Killers2154 Words   |  9 PagesNot many people know that women can murder others, let alone, be serial murderers. What has been perceived generally in our societies is that women are the creation of God who sacrifice for others and care selflessly. It is the males who are seen as the abusers, the ones who murder, kill others for their selfish motives. That is true but not completely. The majority of people who abuse, or kill are males. However, women are also seen as doing these acts so anonymous to their â€Å"feminism†. Women alsoRead MoreThe Red City By Erik Larson2041 Words   |  9 Pagesto analyze how society was impacted. The good reviews of this book help highlight the cultural importance of the 1893 World’s Fair, architect Daniel H. Burnham, and serial killer H.H. Holmes have on society today. H.H. Holmes was brought up in a small town in New Hampshire and was projected to have a normal life, or so they had thought. Holmes was born as Herman Webster Mudgett on May 16th, 1861 in Gilmanton, NH (â€Å"H.H.† 1-2). Soon after he was born, their family moved to Chicago. He was very