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Famous Impostors is the last of four non-fiction books completed by Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. It features numerous historical impostors and hoaxes. The first edition was published by the Sturgis & Walton Company of New York in November 1910.
- English
- Sturgis & Walton (US)
- November 1910
- Bram Stoker
With a cheerfully withering eye for their cons, Stoker introduces us to many famous fakers • royal pretenders (such as Perkin Warbeck, who claimed King Henry VII's throne) • magicians (Paracelsus, Cagliostro, etc.) • witches and clairvoyants • women masquerading as men • hoaxers • and others.
- (89)
- Hardcover
- A. The Motive For Disguise
- B. Hannah Snell
- C. La Maupin
- D. Mary East
- A. Two London Hoaxes
- B. The Cat Hoax
- C. The Military Review
- D. The Toll-Gate
- E. The Marriage Hoax
- F. Buried Treasure
One of the commonest forms of imposture—socommon that it seems rooted in aphase of human nature—is that of womenwho disguise themselves as men. It is not to bewondered at that such attempts are made; orthat they were made more often formerly whensocial advancement had not enlarged the scopeof work available for women. The legal andeconomic disabili...
Hannah Snell is a good instance of how the lifeof a woman who was not by nature averse from adventure232was moulded by chance in the directionwhich suited her individuality. Of course, likingfor a militant life, whether in conventional or exceptionalform, presupposes a natural boldness ofspirit, resolution, and physical hardihood—all ofwhich this w...
The majority of the readers of the English-speakingrace who enjoy Théophile Gautier’sfascinating romance Mademoiselle de Maupinare not aware that the heroine was a real person.The novelist has of course made suchalterations as are required to translate crudefact into more elegant fiction, and to obliterate sofar as can be done the criminal or partl...
The story of Mary East is a pitiful one,and gives a picture of the civil life of theeighteenth century which cannot be lightly forgotten.The condition of things has so changedthat already we almost need a new terminology inorder that we may understand as our great-grandfathersdid. Take for instance the following sentenceand try individually how man...
Not many years ago, in one of the populardairy-refreshment shops in Holborn, the primmanageress and her white-capped waitresseswere just commencing their day’s work whena couple of sturdy green-aproned men swooped250down on the place from a large pantechniconvan, and to the amazement of the young ladiescommenced to clear the shop. “There you are Bi...
One very amusing variation of the countlessimitations, which the success of this trick gaverise to, was the “cat hoax” at Chester, in August,1815. It was at the time when it had beendetermined to send Napoleon to St. Helena.One morning, a number of hand bills were distributedin and around Chester, stating that, owingto the island of St. Helena bein...
Practical jokes of this nature have more thanonce led to serious results. In the summer of1812 a report was extensively circulated thata grand military review was to be held on the19th of June. Booths were erected and as manyas twenty thousand people assembled, despitethe efforts of the authorities who, when theylearned what was happening, posted m...
Many distinguished actors have been veryfond of playing practical jokes and perpetratinghoaxes. Young, the tragedian, was oneday driving in a gig with a friend on the outskirtsof London. Pulling up at a turn-pike257gate he noticed the name of the toll-collectorwritten up over the door. Calling to him thewoman, the wife of that functionary, who appe...
Hoaxes are sometimes malicious, and oftencruel, as the following instance will show: Ayoung couple were about to be married inBirmingham when those officiating—it was aJewish wedding—were startled by the deliveryof a telegram from London with the message:“Stop marriage at once. His wife and childrenhave arrived in London and will come on to Birming...
Most people have heard of the “Spanish Treasureswindle” and, though less elaborate than theoriginal, a variation of it practised on a Frenchmerchant was rather “cute.” One morning hereceived an anonymous communication advisinghim that a box of treasure was buried in hisgarden the exact position of which would bepointed out to him, if he agreed to d...
Mar 8, 2016 · Stoker, Bram, 1847-1912: LoC No. 10029528 : Title: Famous Impostors Contents: Pretenders: Perkin Warbeck. The Hidden King. Stephan Mali. The false Dauphins. Princess Olive -- Practitioners of magic: Paracelsus. Cagliostro. Mesmer -- The Wandering Jew -- John Law -- Witchcraft and clairvoyance: Witches. Doctor Dee. La Voisin. Sir Edward Kelley ...
Famous Impostors was Bram Stoker's fifth and final book of nonfiction. This book deals with the exposing of various impostors and hoaxes. It was first published in the UK in 1910 by Sidgwick & Jackson, Ltd., London. The book itself is a 349 page hardcover with a red cloth cover stamped on the front panel in gold.
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Famous Impostors is a non-fiction work written by Bram Stoker, who is best known as the author of the horror classic 'Dracula' which was adapted into the legendary eponymous 1931 film...
Delve into the gritty details of some of history's most infamous hoaxes in this fascinating volume of true crime from Dracula author Bram Stoker.
