Throughout my research into the crimes of this Yorkshire doctor, I could only find one picture of him - a blurry newspaper picture published after his scandalous death in 1908. It shows him with close shaved hair, a big beard, hooded eyes and a stripy top - he couldn't look more like a criminal if he tried!
I discovered whilst researching his story that, in the 1980s, a descendent of the family had gone public with an appeal for a picture of him but without success. I wasn't surprised - I had searched in many online and real archives, locally and nationally, for a picture, but could find nothing. How was it that such a prominent figure in York society and medical circles was so elusive to photographers? It has been suggested at one of my talks that maybe his family destroyed all photographs of him after his death and the appalling revelations that preceded it ...
But now, through the wonders of the internet, I finally have a FANTASTIC new photograph of him! A kind gentleman who collects old visiting cards got in touch and sent me an image of Dr Gramshaw's visiting card - with his photograph and signature on it! It is radically different to the newspaper picture - a real revelation!
Want to see it? Come along to one of my talks where it usually generates gasps from the audiences ...

Comments