While the story of Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, is considered fiction, there are some elements that may have been inspired by real events.
* The historical context: The story is set during the 18th century, a time of social unrest and political turmoil in London.
* The real Sweeney Todd: There is a real person named Sweeney Todd who was a barber in London during the 18th century. However, there's no evidence that he was a murderer.
* The real Benjamin Barker: Some believe that the character of Sweeney Todd was based on a real person named Benjamin Barker, who was falsely accused of a crime and sent to prison.
The story of Sweeney Todd is a fictionalized account of these elements, blended with elements of Gothic horror and revenge. It is important to distinguish between the fictional character and any real person who may have inspired the story.