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Historic Poisonings Archive

30 August 2024

Poisonings Throughout History: George Henry Lansom

  • Guest Staff
  • Aconite, Historic Poisonings
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Collage with a portrait sketch of George Henry Lansom on the left and a picture of an aconite plant on the right

Aconite, a type of flowering plant, is often called the Queen of Poisons. This is an accurate description as it was used as a poison throughout history.

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21 May 2024

Poisonings Throughout History: William Palmer

  • Guest Staff
  • Historic Poisonings
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Black & White portrait of William Palmer on the left and an image of an antique strychnine bottle on the right

William Palmer, an English physician from the Victorian period, is widely considered the “Prince of Poisoners.”

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16 November 2023

Poisonings Throughout History: King Mithridates

  • Guest Staff
  • Historic Poisonings, Honey
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Collage with Mithridates VI Eupator on the left and an antique honey jar on the right

King Mithridates is a well-known figure to historians of toxicology. He had a large library of toxin related essays and was said to use poisons on both his family members and rivals! Supporters of the king used mad honey to poison Roman soldiers during war.

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31 August 2023

Poisonings Throughout History: Olive Thomas

  • Guest Staff
  • Historic Poisonings, Mercury
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Split photo with a black and white portrait of Olive Thomas on the left and an antique bottle of Mercury Bichloride on the right

Olive Thomas was a well-known model and silent-film actress in the early 1900s. She died from what was likely accidental poisoning of mercury bichloride.

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