Billington
Victorian Executioner
Published on 24. October 2011
336 pages
978-0-7524-7406-9 (ISBN)
Description
'An insightful and gripping account that will take you into the dark but fascinating world of a Victorian executioner.' - Stewart P. Evans
Between 1884 and 1905 James Billington and his three sons, Thomas, William and John, were responsible for 235 executions in Victorian Great Britain and Ireland. They hanged many notorious murderers, but equally fascinating is the story of the family. Did James really feel he served society and justice, or did this position satisfy something more personal?
Billington: Victorian Executioner provides a complete account of the stories behind James Billington's executions, as well as the real man behind the rope - a man whose business was death. This enthralling biography is an exciting addition to any true crime bookshelf.
Between 1884 and 1905 James Billington and his three sons, Thomas, William and John, were responsible for 235 executions in Victorian Great Britain and Ireland. They hanged many notorious murderers, but equally fascinating is the story of the family. Did James really feel he served society and justice, or did this position satisfy something more personal?
Billington: Victorian Executioner provides a complete account of the stories behind James Billington's executions, as well as the real man behind the rope - a man whose business was death. This enthralling biography is an exciting addition to any true crime bookshelf.
Reviews / Votes
'An insightful and gripping account that will take you into the dark but fascinating world of a Victorian executioner.' -- Stewart P EvansMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Stroud
United Kingdom
Illustrations
53 Illustrations, black and white
File size
8,97 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-7524-7406-9 (9780752474069)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
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02/2023
The History Press Ltd
€24.00
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05/2009
The History Press Ltd
€43.55
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Person
ALISON BRUCE is the author of nine crime novels and two non-fiction titles. Her first novel, Cambridge Blue (2008), was described by Publishers Weekly as an 'assured debut', and her work has attracted both critical acclaim and a loyal readership. In 2013 and 2016 Alison was short-listed for the Crime Writers' Association Dagger in the Library Award.
Content
- Intro
- Title
- Copyright
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- One: 'Thaal Nivver Feel It'
- Two: 'Worse than Helen'
- Three: 'He Never Had a Dream in his Life'
- Four: Into the Mills
- Five: 'Poisoning He Goes'
- Six: 'A Copper Pot'
- Seven: 'Knock, Knock, Knock on the Floor'
- Eight: A Murder Charge Made for Two
- Nine: Boyhood Haunts
- Ten: In a Position of Trust
- Eleven: Scandal Quote
- Twelve: 'Nobody Believes Her'
- Thirteen: Too Many Lies
- Fourteen: 'I Wish I Had Never Come'
- Fifteen: William's Reign
- Sixteen: The End of the Billingtons
- Nigel Preston Interview
- Author's Note
- Appendix 1: Execution Ropes
- Appendix 2: School for Hangmen
- Appendix 3: Index of Executions
- Bibliography
