The handwriting of Jack the Ripper is one of the ugliest handwritings that I have ever seen. And in my field thousands of handwriting samples have crossed my desk.

As you will recall, Jack the Ripper was a serial killer who murdered 5 prostitutes in the East End of London in 1888. The murders were never solved and the case remains shrouded in mystery to this day.

Although the handwriting sample that follows is generally accepted as the actual handwriting of Jack the Ripper there is no absolute certainty about it. Nevertheless the fact that the original sample is preserved in the Records of the Metropolitan Police Service, National Archives tells us quite a lot.

Whatever the actual details of the matter are – what is not in doubt is that this is one of the ugliest handwritings on record. The writer of this note is a nasty, hostile and violent individual. There is no mistaking his base character. He is malicious and malevolent to the core.

Of course not every ugly handwriting is the epitome of evil. There are many noteworthy talented and individualistic people – including highly intelligent ones who have bad handwriting.

Which is why I have gone out of my way to allay the fears of talented people who happen to have bad handwriting.

But in Jack the Ripper’s case there are no redeeming qualities.

Take a look at Jack the Ripper’s notorious “Letter from Hell”:

Note the general confusion, smudgy writing, ink filled ovals and lack of space between the words. There is a notable variation of pressure in the strokes which indicates extreme emotional volatility. In some places it looks maniacal.

The uneducated writing has a crude, primitive quality and is at the same time wildly uncontrolled and explosive.

As you study it, you become more and more aware of its base qualities. The ink seems to drip with gore and venom …

But as I mentioned above – not all ugly handwriting is sinister. There are some very talented and amazing people who have poor handwriting.

Read about it here: What ugly handwriting says about you

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