Genevieve Carlton writes about Renaissance cosmetics maker Giulia Tofana and her sideline–MURDER!

“Tofana made it her mission — and her business — to help aspiring widows murder their husbands. During the Renaissance, in an era of arranged marriages that left no possibility of divorce, the only way out of an unhappy union was death. Women were often forced into marriage by their families without having a say in the matter. Once married, husbands had complete control over their wives, and women were often completely powerless. Husbands could beat their wives without facing any punishment or subject them to all kinds of cruel treatments.

No wonder some women wanted to be widows. Aqua Tofana provided a quick, discrete solution.”