The lunatic detective

One man, who claimed to be a private detective, was obsessed with Queen Victoria

In 1886, James Junior, a Scotsman, was brought up before the magistrates at Windsor Petty Sessions, charged with being a ‘wandering lunatic’. His story was rather an odd one.

Windsor Castle

James had been wandering round the outskirts of Windsor Castle - the official home of the Royal Family - when he was approached by a concerned officer, named Inspector Savage. He asked James what he was doing: “I am a private inquiry agent,” the man responded, adding that his address was at Melbourne Chambers, East Smithfield, in London. So far, so good. But then, Inspector Savage asked what he was doing in such close proximity to the castle.

“I want to have a private interview with the Queen,” said James, “because I wish to marry her.” She already knew of his desire, he added, for he had previously written a letter to her, addressing her as ‘my beloved Victoria’ and signing the letter, ‘your husband, the Emperor’. Despite signing the letter as her husband, he now wanted to see her to get her to say yes or no to marrying him.

Inspector Savage now searched the man, and found a large knife on him. James Junior insisted this went everywhere with him, as he used it to cut off the corns on his feet. Unsurprisingly, the police inspector doubted this, and took James Junior into custody.

At the petty sessions, it rapidly became clear to the magistrates that James was not a well man. He denied this, though, ‘strongly protesting’ the idea of being sent to an asylum, and arguing that because he was Scottish, he was not understood by the English magistrates. They believed they understood him very well, however, and ordered him to be removed to a lunatic asylum.