40. By Hook or by Crook

Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley

BBC

Personal Journals, True Crime, History, Society & Culture

4.7 • 908 Ratings

🗓️ 2 December 2024

⏱️ 29 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Lucy Worsle digs into the lives of bold women who choose - by hook or by crook - to escape a life of poverty, misfortune and hardship. This episode highlights the fascinating tales of four invincible women. Sophie Lyons, a bank robber who, by the power of the American Dream, turns into a philanthropist. Madam Rachel, a beautician who combines fraudulent treatments with a deep understanding of women's insecurities to dupe an elite clientele. Ann Mary Provis, a bright artist who deceives the Royal Academicians, no less. And Fanny Davies, a cunning thief who uses her wit and charm to rob unsuspecting victims. Lucy is joined by in-house historian, Professor Rosalind Crone, and guest detective Baroness Ayesha Hazarika MBE, to discuss the motivations behind these women's choices and explore the broader implications of their swindles. We see them as mothers, as businesswomen, and simply as humans with faults, desires and dreams and we ask, does crime pay?

Producer: Riham Moussa Readers: Clare Corbett and Jonathan Keeble Sound Design: Chris Maclean Executive producer: Kirsty Hunter

A StoryHunter production for BBC Radio 4

If you're in the UK, listen to the newest episodes of Lady Killers first on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/3M2pT0K

Transcript

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0:00.0	You're about to listen to a BBC podcast, but this is about something else you might enjoy.
0:05.4	My name's Katie Lecky and I'm an assistant commissioner for on demand music on BBC Sounds.
0:10.8	The BBC has an incredible musical heritage and culture and as a music lover, I love being part of that.
0:17.5	With music on sounds, we offer collections and mixes for everything, from workouts to
0:22.4	helping you nod off, boogie in your kitchen, or even just a moment of calm. And they're all put
0:28.3	together by people who know their stuff. So if you want some expertly curated music in your life,
0:35.0	check out BBC Sounds.
0:41.3	BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts.
0:51.6	Welcome to Lady Swindlers with me, Lucy Worsley, where true crime meets history with a twist.
1:03.0	Join me and my team of all female detectives as we meet women from all walks of life who despise ordinary life and became extraordinary.
1:08.0	They decide by hook or by crook to change their lives.
1:12.7	In this episode, we'll shine a spotlight on four women from history who swindled for a living and end up making it big.
1:21.1	Safie Lyons, career criminal.
1:24.2	With my husband in prison, the support of my little ones fell wholly on my shoulders.
1:28.7	I did not know it was wrong to steal. No one ever taught me that.
1:34.7	Anne Mary Provis
1:36.0	Art Hoeksa
1:37.9	A passion for drawing and painting prevailed over every other inclination, and Provis allowed her to indulge it.
1:46.5	Fanny Davies, an uncommon fief who dresses in male clothes.
1:51.8	She was soon after carried to the public office in Bow Street, where the notes were sworn to by Mr Wigglesworth.
1:58.0	Her boy's apparel was also produced.
2:00.3	She denied any knowledge of the transaction with great composure.
	...

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