Born in 1816, Gull studied medicine at St Guy's in London. In 1872 Gull was made a Baronet and became physician to Queen Victoria, treating the Prince of Wales for typhoid. In 1876 he was involved with the infamous Bravo poisoning trial. He died in 1890, but immediately came under suspicion as the death certificate was signed by his brother-in-law, which was not usual medical practice. A medium trying to track down 'Jack the Ripper', alleged that Gull was still alive and had been certified insane, under a different name.