Woman as murderer: the defence of Louisa Collins

In January 1889, Louisa Collins became the last woman to be executed in New South Wales. The press followed the story with interest and presented a picture of a cool and calculating adulteress who kept up the appearance of honouring her second husband while she was bringing about his death through poisoning. After four trials, Collins was finally convicted of murder. The state saw utility in carrying out the sentence to defuse accusations of leniency toward women at a time when they were demanding equal treatment, but her death sentence brought about active public discussion of the appropriateness of the punishment. Her imperfect adherence to the gender stereotypes of her day led to ambiguity in the public attitude toward her execution. Instead of being an individual whose case could be looked upon objectively, Collins became an exemplar of her sex, carrying the burden of its aspirations and reputation.