This one was hardly a woman at all’: Amelia Dyer, child homicide, and ‘dark heritage’ in Totterdown

In June 1896, Amelia Dyer was executed for the murder of 3-month-old Doris Marmon. Dyer had spent more than 20 years working as a so-called ‘baby-farmer’ and is alleged to have killed as many as 400 children in her care. Born in Bristol, Dyer spent many years in the suburb of Totterdown, where she remains a folkloric figure. Through co-producing a Totterdown walking tour, this project enhances the professional practice of both Show of Strength theatre company and the Museum of Totterdown, and will provide the public with more nuanced engagement with Dyer’s story and the ‘dark heritage’ of Bristol.