Mary Ansell

Who was Mary Ansell?

Mary Ann Ansell, a house-maid, was hanged at St Albans, on 19 July 1899, for poisoning her sister, Caroline, who was an inmate in an asylum. Her intention appeared to be to obtain 11 pounds, from an insurance cover on Caroline which she had taken out.

At 22 she was the youngest woman to be hanged in the 'modern era'.

Before Ansell's eventual execution, there was considerable public pressure for a reprieve, on the grounds of her gender, youth and perceived lack of mental capacity. In opposition, there was a significant reluctance within the Home Office to reprieve a poisoner, since it was seen as an easy but premeditated act. Her case thus received a measure of Parliamentary attention.

In subsequent years the case was used to discuss the limits to criminal responsibility.