Wikipedia article of the day for October 20, 2026

The Wikipedia article of the day for October 20, 2026 is London Monster.
The London Monster was the name given to an attacker of women in London between 1788 and 1790. The Monster's modus operandi was to abuse women verbally with lewd and suggestive comments, then attack them with a knife (cartoon pictured). The philanthropist John Julius Angerstein arranged a reward of 100 guineas (equivalent to £13,000 in 2025) for the capture and conviction of the Monster. More than 30 men were taken to Bow Street Magistrates' Court with their accusers hoping to claim the reward; all were released. Renwick Williams was arrested when one of the attacked women claimed to recognise him as the attacker. He was found guilty, despite having an alibi for at least one of the attacks. There is doubt among some historians whether he was the attacker as no hard or forensic evidence was ever found. It is likely that copycat attacks took place, particularly as some of the assaults were recorded as being committed by a group of men.