Philip Cross

Dr.Philip Cross (died 1888) was a retired army surgeon from Dripsey, County Cork, Ireland who was convicted and hanged for the murder of his wife after an affair with his children's governess.

20 year old governess Effie Skinner was employed by Dr. & Mrs. Cross in 1886 to look after their children in their large home near the village of Dripsey, about 15 miles from Cork City. Soon afterwards Doctor Cross began an affair with the young governess until it was discovered by his wife who had Effie dismissed immediately.

With a short time of this incident Mrs. Cross became ill and her husband diagnosed typhoid and gave her medication for it. Her condition soon deteriorated and Mrs. Cross died in June 1887, her death certificate being signed by her husband. Within weeks of Mrs. Cross' death the governess Effie Skinner returned to the Cross home, this time as the doctor's mistress. Local gossip in the area soon spread and a police investigation was commenced.

Mrs. Cross's body was exhumed and found to contain high levels of arsenic and as a result Dr. Cross was arrested and tried for her murder. Philip Cross was hanged in Cork Jail on January 10th, 1888.