Frank Miles

[Franklin]

Hi everyone,

I've added this article also on the Casebook message Boards, hope no-one feels offended in any kind of way for doing so...

Now then, Frank Miles:

When did Frank Miles become a suspect and who pointed the finger of possible guilt at him? As far as my knowledge goes, Miles was a homosexual (possibly bisexual) artist and was well known in the higher levels of Victorian society. So far, only two possible reasons for incriminating Miles as a suspect are his sexual instability and in case one believes in the Royal Conspiracy Theory (I don't), the links to Sickert, Prince Eddy and in some indirect way Druitt.

Does anybody have photo material of Miles? I'm writing an article about him at the moment but in some way, it's extremely tough to find any pictures or sketches of him. Your assistance will be appreciated...:thumbsupbud:

Here's a little article that I found when going through the indexes of my Ripper material:

A certain amount of mystery surrounds Miles but apparently he had a predilection for exposing himself to small girls, which eventually landed him in trouble. He was a popular figure at Wilde's parties which continued at Tite Street with celebrities such as the Prince of Wales often in attendance.

There was an occasion at Tite Street when police called enquiring after Miles, and Wilde entertained them at the door in conversation while his friend escaped over the roof to an adjoining house. When the officers eventually gained entry, they threatened to arrest Wilde for obstructing them in the course of their duty. Meanwhile, the bird had flown and Wilde apologised, explaining that he thought their arrival was a joke on the part of some of his friends. He charmed away their anger and the police left empty-handed.

Jack the Ripper - Summing up and Verdict by Colin Wilson and Robin Odell

[Magpie]

Here's what Wiki has to say (not a lot)

In the 20th century Miles achieved brief notoriety as being an unlikely suspect for Jack the Ripper theorists. The thin line of argument was that he lived on Tite Street near Sir Melville Macnaghten; a cousin was an equerry to Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence (another unlikely suspect); and the brother of Montague Druitt, yet another suspect, was in the same regiment that Miles had been in.

I'm not sure why he became a suspect, but here's a photo of him (I believe)

[Franklin]

Cheers for your quick reply Mag!

Two questions:
1. How certain are you that this is Miles (and why)?
2. Do you mind if I use this for my website?

Cheers!

[Magpie]

No problem:)

Here's the website I found it on:

http://www.odysseetheater.com/dir.php?dirname=./wilde/bilder

Given the context, I'd say it's very likely him.

I doubt the picture is copyrighted, but it wouldn't hurt to make sure.

Best of luck.

[Thomas Schachner]

George Francis Miles (1852-1891) was a handsome London artist who specialised in pastel portraits of society ladies. He was the son of the rector of Bingham in Nottinghamshire, and grandson of Philip John Miles (1773-1845), an English merchant, politician and collector, who was elected MP for Bristol in 1820.

Today Frank Miles is best known for being a friend and house-mate (and many believe a lover) of Oscar Wilde whom he met in 1876. Miles introduced Wilde to Lillie Langtry, and to his friend and patron Lord Ronald Gower, who later became the model for the worldly Lord Henry Wotton in Wilde's novel The Picture of Dorian Gray.

In 1887 Miles was committed to an asylum near Bristol, and he died in 1891 of what was diagnosed as 'general paralysis of the insane (4 years), exhaustion and pneumonia'.

In the 20th century Miles achieved brief notoriety as being an unlikely suspect for Jack the Ripper theorists. The thin line of argument was that he lived on Tite Street near Sir Melville Macnaghten; a cousin was an equerry to Prince Albert Victor, Duke of Clarence (another unlikely suspect); and the brother of Montague Druitt, yet another suspect, was in the same regiment that Miles had been in.
(wikipedia.org)

[Thomas Schachner]

.....

[Franklin]

Magpie, Thomas thanks for the info, very much appreciated.
Thomas: I expect our work to be finished Sunday (will keep you informed).

Again, cheers lads!

[Thomas Schachner]

a sketch by miles

[Franklin]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/a4/Lillie_langtry.JPG

Lot of similarities eh?

[Thomas Schachner]

yep, same lady
Lillie Langtry

[Thomas Schachner]

the sketch is really accurate though! .-)

[Franklin]

I can imagine why Miles loved sketching her. Nothing wrong with that, ghehe.