Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society Episode Summary: "The Dark History of London’s Drug World" Release Date: March 11, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society, host Kate Lister delves into the shadowy underbelly of 1920s London’s Soho district. Titled "The Dark History of London’s Drug World," the episode explores the intertwining of drugs, society, and scandal during a transformative era. Joined by Toby Seddon, a Professor of Social Science at University College London, Kate unravels the complexities of the drug culture that thrived beneath the glitzy surface of the roaring twenties.

Soho in the 1920s: Glitz with a Sinister Edge

Kate sets the scene by painting a vivid picture of the 43 Club on Gerrard Street, Soho—a hub of nightlife where jazz, flapper dresses, and sharply cut suits masked a dangerous undercurrent of drug use. "There is a dark underbelly to all of this," Kate remarks at [00:28], highlighting how club owners like Kate Merrick and Brilliant Chang fueled the vibrant scene with cocaine and morphine, supplied through a network of dealers.

Guest Introduction: Professor Toby Seddon

Joining Kate is Professor Toby Seddon, an expert in the history of drug policy. Toby provides an insightful background on how drug culture evolved in Britain, emphasizing that the 1920s marked the emergence of a distinct recreational drug subculture. "The idea of a drug culture or subculture didn’t really exist before," Toby explains at [05:45], contrasting the pervasive medical use of substances like opium in the 19th century with the recreational use that became prominent in the early 20th century.

The Evolution of Drug Culture

Toby elaborates on the shift from viewing drugs solely as medicinal to recognizing their recreational use. He notes, “The word drug at that time, so before the late 19th century just meant medicine” [07:03]. This transition set the stage for the drug culture of the 1920s, where substances like cocaine and opium became symbols of social change and hedonism.

Billy Carlton Case: A Scandal That Captivated London

One of the episode’s focal points is the tragic case of Billy Carlton, a 22-year-old West End actress who died in 1918 after a night of cocaine use. Toby recounts, “She went to a party in November 1918, a victory ball at the Royal Albert Hall... took some cocaine and the following day... was discovered dead in a hotel room” [20:14]. This scandal not only captivated the media but also underscored the dangers and societal concerns surrounding drug use, particularly among young women.

Gender and Race Dynamics in Drug Culture

The discussion shifts to the prominent role of women in the drug scandals of the era. “Why girls? [...] it was drugs as a sort of concentration of the social anxieties of the time,” Toby observes at [25:02]. He connects this to the broader social changes post-World War I, where women's roles were in flux, leading to moral panics that often targeted white women while associating drug dealers like Brilliant Chang and Edgar Manning with non-white identities, reflecting underlying racial tensions and fears.

The Dope Kings: Brilliant Chang and Edgar Manning

Kate and Toby explore the figures who became synonymous with London’s drug scene. Notably, "Brilliant Chang and Edgar Manning, called the Dope Kings of London," are discussed [29:18]. Toby explains that while these individuals gained notoriety through sensational media coverage, their actual influence was relatively limited. “They were dope kings to a great extent as a media creation,” Toby states [29:39], suggesting that their legendary status was amplified more by the press than by their real impact on the drug trade.

Government Response and Legislation

The episode delves into the legislative efforts to curb drug use. Toby outlines the progression from the Defence of the Realm Act 1916, which criminalized cocaine and opium, to the Dangerous Drugs Act 1920. “Regulation 40B of the Defence of the Realm Act, 1916, criminalizes… cocaine and opium possession,” he explains [14:13]. This legislation marked the beginning of drug prohibition, influenced by both domestic concerns about soldiers’ drug use and international pressures from the Hague Opium Convention.

Medical Use vs. Recreational Use

An important theme is the distinction between medical and recreational use of drugs. Toby highlights, “This dividing line between this sort of use is okay. This isn’t. Is part of what prohibition is trying to do” [19:14]. He discusses how substances like cocaine were used medicinally, for example, as local anesthetics in dentistry, while their illicit recreational use was criminalized, shaping public perception and policy.

Decline of Drug Use Post-1920s

Contrary to today’s pervasive drug issues, Toby notes that drug use in Britain remained relatively confined to small, exclusive groups after the 1920s. “From the 1920s up until the 1960s… there wasn't a lot of drug use in the UK,” he states [33:03]. This era saw a significant reduction in public drug problems, attributed more to the limited scale of use rather than effective policing or policy.

Conclusion

Kate wraps up the episode by reflecting on how the 1920s Soho drug scene was a microcosm of broader societal changes and anxieties. The interplay of gender, race, and legislation created a unique environment where drugs became entangled with social scandal and moral panic. Toby’s expertise provides a nuanced understanding of how these factors shaped the dark history of London’s drug world.

Notable Quotes

• Kate Lister [00:28]: "There is a dark underbelly to all of this."
• Toby Seddon [05:45]: "The idea of a drug culture or subculture didn’t really exist before."
• Toby Seddon [07:03]: "The word drug at that time, so before the late 19th century just meant medicine."
• Toby Seddon [14:13]: "Regulation 40B of the Defence of the Realm Act, 1916, criminalizes… cocaine and opium possession."
• Toby Seddon [19:14]: "This dividing line between this sort of use is okay. This isn’t. Is part of what prohibition is trying to do."
• Toby Seddon [25:02]: "It was drugs as a sort of concentration of the social anxieties of the time."
• Toby Seddon [29:39]: "They were dope kings to a great extent as a media creation."
• Toby Seddon [33:03]: "From the 1920s up until the 1960s… there wasn't a lot of drug use in the UK."

Further Listening

For those intrigued by this exploration of London’s illicit past, consider tuning into Betwixt The Sheets for more episodes that delve into the fascinating intersections of sex, scandal, and society throughout history.

Connect with the Hosts

• Kate Lister: Follow Betwixt The Sheets on your preferred podcast platform. For more content, visit History Hit.
• Toby Seddon: Learn more about Professor Seddon’s work at www.tobysedden.com.

This episode was expertly edited by Tom Delaghi and produced by Stuart Beckwith, with senior production by Charlotte Long. Music provided by Epidemic Sound.