Discreet Facts About Catherine Walters, London’s Cautious Courtesan
Historians consider Catherine Walters, who later became better known as “Skittles," one of the last great courtesans of Victorian London. But there was much more to this complex woman than the men she entangled herself with.
1. She Came From Humble Origins
Walters was born on June 13, 1839, in Toxteth, Liverpool. The third of five children, she grew up in the Liverpool area near the city’s docks where her father worked. Her working-class family was not well-off, residing in a shoddy tenement building. Tragedy undoubtedly marked Catherine’s youth.
2. She Grew Up Motherless
Walters’ mother was Mary Ann Fowler, who had immigrated from Ireland. She gave birth to two more children after Catherine. But sadly, she did not survive to raise her children, dying in childbirth before Catherine was even 12 years old. Her father wasn’t much help.
3. She Had A Bad Father
Walters’ old man was a customs official at the Liverpool city docks and later an innkeeper who seemed more interested in his work than raising his children. He was also an alcoholic. This likely resulted in Catherine’s strong sense of independence at a young age. Indeed, she started working early, and a paycheck wasn’t the only thing she got from her newfound employment.
4. She Received A Fun Nickname
Shortly after entering the workforce at age 16, Catherine became known as "Skittles". This nickname would end up sticking with her for the rest of her life and is even how her later wealthy benefactors and the press would refer to her. The charming nickname suited Walters’ fun personality, and it took appropriate inspiration from a game.
5. She Got Her Nickname From Her Place Of Work
The most widely accepted legend for how Walters got her nickname is a simple but fun one. She got a job working at the Black Jack Tavern in Liverpool. The pub had a reputation around town for a unique feature: It had a bowling alley.
In those days, however, bowling took its name from the pins a player would attempt to knock over: the skittles.
Thus, Walters got her lifelong name of "Skittles" from her tenure there. She would soon get her lifelong profession there too, and it certainly wasn't waitressing.
