About Margaret Waters
Lived 1835 – 1870 (aged 34–35). Margaret Waters was a British serial killer.
Margaret Waters (1835–1870), otherwise known as Willis, was an English murderer hanged by executioner William Calcraft on 11 October 1870 at Horsemonger Lane Gaol (also known as Surrey County Gaol) in London.
Waters was born in 1835 and lived in Brixton. She was known for baby farming, the practice of taking in other women's children for money, which often resulted in infanticide.
Waters drugged and starved the infants in her care and is believed to have killed at least 19 children.
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Important facts
People in Margaret Waters's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Margaret Waters?
English murderer
When was Margaret Waters born?
Margaret Waters was born in 1835 in Brixton.
When did Margaret Waters die?
Margaret Waters died on 11 October 1870 in Horsemonger Lane Gaol.
What was Margaret Waters's occupation?
Margaret Waters was a serial killer.
What nationality was Margaret Waters?
Margaret Waters was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Margaret Waters. https://biography.guide/margaret-waters/
MLA: "Margaret Waters." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/margaret-waters/.
Chicago: "Margaret Waters." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/margaret-waters/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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