Introducing Frederick Bailey Deeming

This online exhibition tells the story of Frederick Bailey Deeming: wife-murderer, bigamist, thief, and confidence trickster.

The grisly discovery of his wife Emily's body buried beneath the hearthstone of their home in the Melbourne suburb of Windsor, the police investigation to find her murderer, and his eventual arrest and trial in the early months of 1892 were all followed with intense interest by the Australian public. Deeming's bizarre and disturbing crimes earned him the reputation of being 'the criminal of the century'.

During the three months that Deeming's case featured in newspapers, his crimes also became the subject of a theatrical play and a gruesome waxworks exhibit. Fact and fiction collided in penny dreadfuls and shilling shockers compiled from news reports, transforming Deeming's crimes into sensational pulp fiction.

Getting started

The story links allow you to navigate through 'episodes' in the case.

Podcast recordings of a PROV seminar on Frederick Bailey Deeming and the launch of this online exhibition are also available through our PROVcasts webpage.

Retrace the events of the case by reading original documents such as letters received by police from the general public leading to Deeming's arrest, witness statements of those who encountered Deeming in one of his many disguises, and the trial arguments over whether Deeming was insane or truly responsible for his crimes. A large selection of illustrations from penny dreadfuls about Deeming are featured throughout.

Once you have explored this online exhibition, send us some feedback and tell us what you think.

There is also a touring exhibition version of Bigamy, Theft and Murder, which is available for bookings upon request for venues across Victoria - contact the Exhibitions Officer at PROV North Melbourne on (03) 9348 5600 or ask.prov@prov.vic.gov.au.