Skip to main content

Bentham's Ghostly Procession

University College, WC1, London Apparition Victorian

Deep within the corridors of University College London, a peculiar presence is said to roam. Jeremy Bentham, the institution's founder, is believed to haunt the halls he once walked during life. His trusty walking cane, affectionately named Dapple, was a constant companion in life and apparently remains so in death. Those who claim to have encountered Bentham's ghost report hearing or seeing him stroll through the college's corridors after dark, cane in hand.

Historically, Jeremy Bentham was a prominent figure in British intellectual circles during the Victorian era. As the founder of University College London, he played a significant role in shaping the institution's values and mission. Bentham's attachment to his walking cane, Dapple, was well-documented during his lifetime. It's said that he was rarely seen without it, and it's perhaps no surprise that this loyal companion has remained by his side in the afterlife. While there are no detailed witness accounts or documented evidence of the haunting, the persistence of this legend speaks to the enduring legacy of Bentham and his connection to the college.

Historical Context

Jeremy Bentham founded University College London in 1826

Location

Location Details

Location Type
University
Activity Types
Visual Audio
Witness Credibility
Multiple Witnesses
Threat Level
Harmless
Accessibility
Public Access
Date / Era
Twentieth century
Postcode Area
WC1

Nearby Haunted Places

Apparition 0 mi

Floating Candle Ghost

33 Harewood Square, NW1

At 33 Harewood Square in London's NW1 area, a rather bizarre and intriguing haunting took place back in May 1851. A couple lying in bed were startled to see two candle flames hovering over them. The situation turned even stranger when the male witness tried to grab the flames, only to find they transformed into liquid, running over the bed and eventually fading away to nothing.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Anne Yeats Haunting

Unnamed residence, WC1

Cartwright Gardens in London's WC1 area has a dark history dating back to 1884. It was then known as Burton Crescent. A tragic event took place in one of the flats, where Anne Yeats' body was discovered in the back room. Her killer was never caught, leaving behind a legacy of sorrow and unrest. Locals claim that the flat became haunted, with reports of paranormal activity. Interestingly, the haunting seemed to subside when the area was renamed Cartwright Gardens.

Residential Area Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Ghostly Footsteps of Great James Street

Unidentified residence, WC1

Great James Street in London's WC1 area is home to a rather intriguing haunting. A flat along this road has been said to be haunted by the unexplained sounds of footsteps. It's not just the creaks and groans of an old building that can be heard here, but actual footsteps that seem to come from nowhere and go nowhere. On occasion, a male figure dressed in evening wear has been seen, his face covered with a white handkerchief. The atmosphere is certainly unsettling, and one can't help but wonder who this ghostly gentleman might be and what his story is.

Private Residence Early 20th Century
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

Lizzie Church Haunting

University College Hospital, WC1

University College Hospital on Gower Street in London has a haunting tale linked to a tragic event. Lizzie Church, a young woman, accidentally gave her lover a fatal morphine overdose when he was a patient here. Years later, her ghostly presence was noticed by hospital staff. They reported that just before morphine injections were administered, Lizzie's apparition would appear as a reminder to be careful. This eerie warning seemed to be a manifestation of her guilt over the tragic incident.

Hospital Twentieth century
Read Full Story
Curse 0 mi

Cursed Portrait of Marcus Beck

University College Hospital, WC1

University College Hospital in London has a dark history surrounding a portrait of Marcus Beck. This painting was believed to be cursed, causing people who fell asleep under it to become ill and in some cases, die. The hospital staff took precautions, ensuring the shutters were closed at night to prevent any untimely deaths. But what was it about this portrait that sparked such fear and superstition?

Hospital Victorian
Read Full Story
Apparition 0 mi

The Haunting of Mrs Samuels

Unnamed residence, WC1

Cartwright Gardens, a quiet London square, has a dark history dating back to the late 19th century. In 1878 or 1879, a gruesome crime took place in one of the residences, where Mrs Samuels was brutally murdered. The killer was never caught, but the aftermath was just as unsettling. The flat where the crime occurred became notorious for paranormal activity, with reports of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences. The building's management even changed the flat's number in an attempt to shake off the bad reputation, but it seems the haunting persisted.

Private Residence Victorian
Read Full Story

Stay Nearby

Haunted hotels and accommodation near University College