Publisher's Synopsis
The Book of Remarkable Trials and Notorious Characters: From Half-Hanged Smith, 1700 to Oxford Who Shot at the Queen, 1840 is a historical non-fiction book written by Lionel Benson and published in 1871. The book is a compilation of significant criminal trials and infamous characters from the 18th and 19th centuries in England. The book begins with the story of Half-Hanged Smith, who survived a hanging and became a folk hero. It then covers the trial of the notorious highwayman, Dick Turpin, and the case of Mary Blandy, who was accused of poisoning her father. Other trials included in the book are those of Captain Kidd, who was accused of piracy, and the Cato Street Conspiracy, a plot to assassinate the British Prime Minister. The book also includes profiles of infamous characters such as the murderer William Burke, the fraudster Gregor MacGregor, and the radical politician Henry Hunt. It ends with the trial of Edward Oxford, who attempted to assassinate Queen Victoria in 1840. Overall, The Book of Remarkable Trials and Notorious Characters provides a fascinating insight into the criminal justice system and the most notorious crimes and criminals of the 18th and 19th centuries in England.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.
