Fake News in the 18th Century | Collection in Focus | British Library

Summary

The story of Mary Toft, a woman in 1726 who convinced people she was giving birth to rabbits, serves as an early example of fake news. Her hoax, which spread across newspapers and captivated the public, was based on the belief in maternal impression, suggesting a woman's surroundings could influence her pregnancy. Eventually, Toft was caught and publicly humiliated. This historical case highlights the long-standing fascination with sensational stories and parallels with modern fake news, viral content, and clickbait. It serves as a reminder to approach shocking stories with skepticism and critical thinking.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mary Toft, an ordinary woman from Surrey, became infamous for claiming to give birth to rabbits in the 18th century.
• 😀 Her hoax was believed by many, including her friends, family, and leading medical professionals of the time.
• 😀 The concept of 'maternal impression' was a prevailing theory that suggested a woman's pre-labor experiences could influence her pregnancy outcomes.
• 😀 Mary Toft claimed to have seen rabbits running across a field before going into labor, which added credibility to her story in the eyes of others.
• 😀 The hoax eventually unraveled when Toft was caught smuggling rabbit parts to continue her deception.
• 😀 After her confession, Toft was humiliated and sent to Bridewell Prison in London, later fading into obscurity after her release.
• 😀 She was known as the 'rabbit woman' for years after the incident, but the reasons behind her hoax remain unclear.
• 😀 The Mary Toft case is an early example of 'fake news,' which has been around for centuries.
• 😀 The story highlights the public's fascination with strange and sensational stories, which still persists today.
• 😀 The spread of sensational news in the 18th century was unprecedented, similar to how viral stories spread through social media today.
• 😀 Despite changes in how we receive news, the nature of sensationalism and viral stories remains a constant over time.

Q & A

Who was Mary Toft, and what was her claim?

Mary Toft was an ordinary, working-class woman in 18th-century Britain who famously claimed to have given birth to rabbits, which caused a media sensation at the time.

How did Mary Toft's story spread so widely?

Her story spread through early newspapers, which were becoming more popular at the time, helping to amplify the sensation and make it a national story.

What was the theory of 'maternal impression' that influenced belief in Mary Toft's hoax?

The theory of maternal impression suggested that a woman's experiences or what she saw before labor could affect the outcome of her pregnancy, which people used to justify the idea that Mary Toft could give birth to rabbits.

How did doctors and surgeons react to Mary Toft's claims?

Doctors and surgeons of the time, including some of the leading physicians, believed her story and even examined her, initially convinced that she had given birth to rabbits.

What ultimately led to the exposure of Mary Toft's hoax?

Mary Toft was caught smuggling parts of rabbits into her rooms in London, which led to her confession that the whole story was a fabrication.

What happened to Mary Toft after her hoax was revealed?

After her confession, Mary Toft was humiliated, sent to Bridewell prison in London, and, once released, returned to Surrey where she faded into obscurity.

Why is the Mary Toft case still relevant today?

The Mary Toft case is relevant because it serves as an early example of fake news and illustrates how sensational stories can go viral, similar to the viral misinformation we see today in digital media.

What modern parallels can be drawn from the Mary Toft story?

The Mary Toft story is similar to modern instances of clickbait and viral fake news, where sensational and often unbelievable stories spread rapidly, sometimes despite being unproven or false.

What role did visual content play in spreading the Mary Toft story?

Visual content, including sensational illustrations, helped spread the story of Mary Toft's hoax, contributing to its sensational nature and the public's fascination with it.

What lesson can we learn from the Mary Toft story in today's media landscape?

The Mary Toft story reminds us to be critical of sensational stories, especially in the age of social media and digital news, where fake news and clickbait are prevalent.