Dark Histories

By: Ben Cutmore
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Fortnightly narratives on the unsolved and the unexplained, mysteries, historical true crime, touches of the paranormal and cultural peculiarities.
    Copyright © Ben Cutmore . All rights reserved.
    Show more Show less
Episodes
  • The Ghost Hunts of George Albert Smith: Mesmerist & Film Maker

    The Ghost Hunts of George Albert Smith: Mesmerist & Film Maker
    Sep 22 2024

    The life and times of George Albert Smith are not particularly well known. Despite working for several years as a stage hypnotist and psychic, the owner of a popular pleasure park and then eventually a pioneering inventor and filmmaker, there are few who could reel off a biography based on nothing more than a name. Perhaps even more obscure, however, was his time spent as a ghost hunter for the Society for Psychical Research, which, whilst a relatively short career in comparison, was no less groundbreaking, when he took tenancy of a haunted house for more than a whole year in order to investigate the reported phenomena.

    SOURCES

    Gray, Frank (2019) The Brighton School & The Birth of British Film. Palgrave Macmillan, London, UK.

    Gray, Frank (1998) Smith the showman: The early years of George Albert Smith. Film History, Vol. 10, No. 1, Cinema Pioneers (1998), pp. 8-20. John Libby & Co., Sydney, Australia.

    Hall, Trevor (1964) The Strange Case of Edmund Gurney. Gerald Duckworth & Co Ltd, London, UK.

    Blackburn, Douglas (1883) Thought Reading Extraordinary. Light, No 86, Vol II. London, UK.

    Smith, George Albert (1884) Report on a Haunted House at Norwich. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, Vol I, 1884-5. London, UK.

    Podmore, Frank (1890) Phantasms of the Dead from Another Point of View. Journal of the Society for Psychical Research, Vol VI, 1889-90. London, UK.

    Gauld, Alan & Cornell, Tony (1979) Poltergeists. White Crow Books, London, UK.

    Sussex Advertiser (1879) Suicide By Hanging. Sussex Advertiser, Sat 5 April 1879, p2. Brighton, UK.

    -------

    This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp, check out betterhelp.com/darkhistories to get 10% off your first month. -------

    For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com

    Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories

    The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories

    Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9

    Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast

    Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories

    & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/

    Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com

    or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf

    The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye

    Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017

    Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.
    Show more Show less
    59 mins
  • Sorcery, Witchcraft & Murder: The Affair of the Poisons

    Sorcery, Witchcraft & Murder: The Affair of the Poisons
    Sep 9 2024
    In France during the 17th Century, a string of unexpected deaths lead to a murder inquiry that uncovered the dark practices of a serial poisoner, who had plied her trade in the streets of Paris, using the popular alchemy and astrology social circles for cover. The eventual arrests shocked the nation, when it was discovered that far from common rabble, the poisoners had hailed from a more well bred class of citizen. Unfortunately, for the Royal Court, the case was only the start of what would turn out to be an unravelling scandal, fueled by a moral panic and the wild imaginations of those accused, that saw witchcraft, occultism, poison and assassination infest the entirety of French society, from the bottom, all the way to the very top.

    SOURCES

    Somerset, Anne (2004) The Affair Of The Poisons: Murder, Infanticide, And Satanism At The Court Of Louis XIV. St Martin’s Press, NY, USA.

    Duramy, Benedetta Faedi (2012) Women & Poisons in 20th Century France. Golden Gate University School of Law, CA, USA.

    Zacharias, Gerhard (1964) Der dunkle Gott: Satanskult und Schwarze Messe. Wiesbaden, Germany.

    Duc de Louis de Rouvroy Saint-Simon (2016) Memoirs of Louis XIV and His Court and of the Regency — Complete. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. -------

    For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com

    Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories

    The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories

    Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9

    Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast

    Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories

    & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/

    Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com

    or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf

    The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye

    Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017

    Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Summer Holiday 2024 - Algernon Blackwood

    Summer Holiday 2024 - Algernon Blackwood
    Aug 26 2024

    This week I'm off on my Summer holiday for a trip in the woods, so what better episode to do than read a few stories from Algernon Blackwood, all about weird woods. What was I thinking...

    -------

    For almost anything, head over to the podcasts hub at darkhistories.com

    Support the show by using our link when you sign up to Audible: http://audibletrial.com/darkhistories or visit our Patreon for bonus episodes and Early Access: https://www.patreon.com/darkhistories

    The Dark Histories books are available to buy here: http://author.to/darkhistories

    Dark Histories merch is available here: https://bit.ly/3GChjk9

    Connect with us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/darkhistoriespodcast

    Or find us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/darkhistories

    & Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dark_histories/

    Or you can contact us directly via email at contact@darkhistories.com

    or join our Discord community: https://discord.gg/cmGcBFf

    The Dark Histories Butterfly was drawn by Courtney, who you can find on Instagram @bewildereye

    Music was recorded by me © Ben Cutmore 2017

    Other Outro music was Paul Whiteman & his orchestra with Mildred Bailey - All of me (1931). It's out of copyright now, but if you're interested, that was that.
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
World
Show more Show less

Featured Article: The Best History Podcasts of All Time


If you’re a history buff looking for a new podcast to check out, it's easy to get overwhelmed by the array of options available. There are literally thousands of podcasts focusing on every corner of history. To help you know where to start, we’ve waded through nearly everything out there and selected just a few of the best of the best in history podcasts. And we've divided them by categories and interests. You’re sure to find your next favorite listen in our list.

Featured Article The Best History Podcasts of All Time

What listeners say about Dark Histories

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    32
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Adam

Best podcast voice hands down

Not much for podcasts for several reasons, but mostly because so many feel rushed with too many irritating voices that aren't made for radio, much less a podcast. Ben's narration and style is hands down the best I've ever heard on radio or any podcast. He crafts fun, interesting, scary and sometimes macabre stories filled with rich detail that paints a truly vivid picture for some of history's odd yet fascinating tales. His style hearkens back to radio before television, which was long before my time; however I've seen and heard enough about those times to understand the importance of telling a good story. The comfort derived in those days by families and friends gathered around the radio to hear good storytelling is something of a lost art. Podcasting has attempted to bring this back through a different medium, but sadly most fail to deliver anything compelling. And even when it's compelling the person's narrative style or not made for radio or podcasting voice ruins the experience. Obviously Ben has a passion for the subject matter and moreover, telling a good story. He deserves to have an immensely popular podcast given the quality of both content and style. I rarely, if ever, write reviews, but felt I should here, given how much I enjoy it. Since I started following about two months ago, I believe I've listened to almost all of the episodes. Until finding this podcast I've avoided most and had nearly zero interest. Keep up the good work Ben! And although I know it's quite the common phrase in the UK, you should make "let's crack on" your signature line.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Runnin_Riot

Awesome

Really Love this Podcast…Very interesting and easy to listen to and learn. Podcaster seems real..not as awkward and stiff as some…I feel like I’m listening to my friend tell me a story that I can rely on to be well researched. Awesome podcast Ben Cutmore!!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Courtney Phelps

This voice now narrates my dream...

I LOVE this podcast and listen to episode after episode while I work at the point his voice is my internal narrator. Excellent stories!!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Ishmael

Great podcast!

I've been following Ben since the spring of this year. He really does an excellent podcast. There's so much research that he puts into each episode. I think he writes about 10k words each episode, and the quality is excellent. Please give him a listen, you won't regret it!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for JSO

Favorite podcast

Every episode is well researched, fascinating, and enjoyable. I never get tired of listening and always look forward to new episodes and the production quality is excellent.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kristen Gilpin

Just Right!

Deeply researched, richly presented, intellectual, dark enough for my black heart with wrapups diffusing grimness.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for alang

Great podcast

Always an interesting story here. Interesting also to find how history does seem to repeat itself. Just good stories. Some are just plain creepy.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Great work listen

Love the stories and Ben. He does a great job giving all known information without boring you to death.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Phil Bennett

Great research and presentation

Ben offers such detail and delivers in a cadence that is hypnotic. I love this podcast!

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Awsome podcast-well researched

If you enjoy dark history, this is the one for you! Well researched, interesting stories.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!