Absinthe, also known as the ‘Green Fairy’, was a popular drink in 19th-century France, inspiring painters and poets. However, it also gained a notorious reputation as a dangerous substance. Medico-psychiatric experts warned that absinthe, with its plant-based essential oils, could trigger violent behavior, leading to crimes. It was believed that those who consumed absinthe could randomly attack their loved ones or strangers. Today, it is understood that the high alcohol content in absinthe, rather than its essential oils, was responsible for any resulting violence.
The fear of absinthe-induced violence was further fueled by sensational reports of ‘absinthe murders’ in French newspapers during the late 19th century. These reports depicted gruesome crimes committed under the influence of absinthe, painting a dark picture of the drink’s effects on individuals. Experts like Dr. Paul-Maurice Legrain cautioned against the consumption of absinthe, warning of its potential to lead to criminal behavior.
Public perception of absinthe was influenced by tragic events, such as the Lanfray murders in 1905, where absinthe was blamed for a family’s deaths. These incidents led to calls for the prohibition of absinthe in Switzerland and later in France. The drink’s association with violence and criminality played a significant role in shaping public opinion and ultimately led to its ban in these countries.
The international media also picked up on the negative perception of absinthe, portraying it as a dangerous substance that could lead to violent behavior. The drink’s ban in France was heralded as a victory in the fight against its harmful effects, reinforcing the idea that absinthe was a national curse.
Ultimately, absinthe’s downfall was attributed to its changing consumer base, its affordability leading to wider consumption among different social groups. The demonization of absinthe as a drink associated with violence and criminality overshadowed other forms of alcohol, contributing to its prohibition in several countries.
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Nina S. Studer is the author of The Hour of Absinthe: A Cultural History of France’s Most Notorious Drink (McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2024).
