Greater London in 1888

London in the year 1888 was a bustling city, with a population of over 5 million people. It was the center of the British Empire and a hub of culture, trade, and politics. However, this year would become infamous due to the notorious serial killer known as Jack the Ripper.

The East End of London, in particular, was a poverty-stricken area, and it was here that the Ripper carried out his gruesome murders. He is believed to have killed at least five women, all of whom were prostitutes. The Ripper's brutal methods and the fact that he was never caught captured the imagination of the public and turned him into a macabre legend.

Despite the fear and unease that the Ripper's crimes caused, life in London continued. The city was undergoing rapid transformation and modernization, with new technologies and innovations emerging. The construction of new buildings, such as the Tower Bridge, was a symbol of the city's growth and ambition.

At the same time, social and political tensions were simmering beneath the surface. The working classes were beginning to organize and demand better working conditions and wages, leading to strikes and protests. Women's rights were also a hotly contested issue, with campaigns for suffrage gaining momentum.

Overall, London in 1888 was a complex and dynamic city, full of contrasts and contradictions. The Ripper's murders, while horrific, were just one aspect of this rich and multifaceted history.