Hangman

[Buzzie]

Who was the last PUBLIC hangman in Britain

[shaneystar]

William Calcraft. Calcraft was the last public executioner.Hanging was confined to prisons after 1868.

[Buzzie]

Thanks Shaneystar!

Youre not by any chance doing the Bridgnorth quiz too are you?

[shaneystar]

No Buzzie ! I just like to have a browse on AB and a Google around to see if can help anyone whilst waiting for my washing machine to finish it's load.! Glad to be of help and good luck with your quiz.

[Octavius]

Calcraft was the longest serving executioner of all and was noted for his "short drops" causing most of his victims to strangle to death. It is not known precisely how many executions he carried out but it is estimated at between four hundred and four hundred and fifty, including those of at least 35 women, making him the most prolific British executioner. He was assisted by Thomas Cheshire in many of these. He officiated at the last public hangings in Britain - those of Francis Kidder (the last woman) at Maidstone on 2nd April 1868 for the drowning of her step daughter and Michael Barrett - a Fenian (what we would now call an I R A terrorist) for the Clerkenwell prison explosion which killed 12 people and injured over 100, outside Newgate prison on 26th May 1868.

[Octavius]

And you wouldn't have believed it looking at him (I guess). calcraft

Calcraft was the official hangman at Newgate and also carried out floggings inside that prison. He received 1 guinea (�1.05) a week retainer and a further guinea for each hanging at Newgate and half a crown (12.5p) for a flogging. His earnings were greatly enhanced by executions at other prisons where he could charge higher fees, typically �10 - �15. He also earned extra money by selling the clothes and personal effects of the condemned to people such as Madame Tussaud, and by selling the bodies to the doctors for dissection.