Thomas Vere Bayne
Encyclopedia
Thomas Vere Bayne was an academic at the University of Oxford
and a friend of Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, the author of the Alice in Wonderland books.
and who was a master at Warrington School from 1828 to 1842. Bayne was born in 1829. From his childhood, he was a friend of Charles Dodgson; they went on to study and work at the same Oxford college. Bayne matriculated
at the University of Oxford
as a member of Christ Church
on 14 June 1848, and became a Fellow (called a "Student" at Christ Church) in 1849. He obtained his BA degree in 1852 and his MA in 1855, and was an ordained Anglican
priest. He was university Proctor in 1867, and became Keeper of the Archives
in 1885. He died in 1908, sometime before the Encaenia
ceremony on 25 June, at which he was remembered.
In 1996, the writer Richard Wallace proposed a theory in his book Jack the Ripper, Light-Hearted Friend
that Dodgson and Bayne were responsible for the Jack the Ripper
murders. The theory was based on anagrams from two of Carroll's works. However, the theory has been criticised as seriously flawed (not least because they have alibis for some of the murders, and both had problems with their health), and Dodgson and Bayne are not generally regarded as likely suspects.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
and a friend of Charles Dodgson, better known as Lewis Carroll, the author of the Alice in Wonderland books.
Life
Bayne was the son of a Thomas Vere Bayne, who had studied at Jesus College, OxfordJesus College, Oxford
Jesus College is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford in England. It is in the centre of the city, on a site between Turl Street, Ship Street, Cornmarket Street and Market Street...
and who was a master at Warrington School from 1828 to 1842. Bayne was born in 1829. From his childhood, he was a friend of Charles Dodgson; they went on to study and work at the same Oxford college. Bayne matriculated
Matriculation
Matriculation, in the broadest sense, means to be registered or added to a list, from the Latin matricula – little list. In Scottish heraldry, for instance, a matriculation is a registration of armorial bearings...
at the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
as a member of Christ Church
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
on 14 June 1848, and became a Fellow (called a "Student" at Christ Church) in 1849. He obtained his BA degree in 1852 and his MA in 1855, and was an ordained Anglican
Church of England
The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England and the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The church considers itself within the tradition of Western Christianity and dates its formal establishment principally to the mission to England by St...
priest. He was university Proctor in 1867, and became Keeper of the Archives
Keeper of the Archives
The position of Keeper of the Archives at the University of Oxford in England dates from 1634, when it was established by new statutes for the university brought in by William Laud...
in 1885. He died in 1908, sometime before the Encaenia
Encaenia
Encaenia is an academic or sometimes ecclesiastical ceremony, usually performed at colleges or universities. It generally occurs some time near the annual ceremony for the general conference of degrees to students...
ceremony on 25 June, at which he was remembered.
In 1996, the writer Richard Wallace proposed a theory in his book Jack the Ripper, Light-Hearted Friend
Jack the Ripper, Light-Hearted Friend
Jack the Ripper, Light-Hearted Friend is a 1996 book by Richard Wallace in which Wallace proposed a theory that British author Lewis Carroll, whose real name was Charles L...
that Dodgson and Bayne were responsible for the Jack the Ripper
Jack the Ripper
"Jack the Ripper" is the best-known name given to an unidentified serial killer who was active in the largely impoverished areas in and around the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. The name originated in a letter, written by someone claiming to be the murderer, that was disseminated in the...
murders. The theory was based on anagrams from two of Carroll's works. However, the theory has been criticised as seriously flawed (not least because they have alibis for some of the murders, and both had problems with their health), and Dodgson and Bayne are not generally regarded as likely suspects.