PIERREPOINT : A FAMILY OF EXECUTIONERS. The Story of Britain's Infamous Hangmen

Hardback. Albert Pierrepoint was the most prolific hangman England has ever known. Between them, the three Pierrepoints executed over 800 people. For 50yrs, generations of the Pierrepoint family served as fearsome hangmen in England. The dynasty began in 1901 when Henry Pierrepoint decided to embark on the rather unique career path towards becoming an executioner. Inspired by the then notorious Official Executioner, James Billington, and eager to fulfil his ambitions, Henry wrote to the Home Office with letters requesting that they consider him for the sinister profession. Keeping it in the family, he persuaded his brother, Thomas, to join him and then in time, his son Albert also joined the family trade, going on to become Chief Executioner. Having only taken up the role a decade after his father's death, Albert Pierrepoint, like his father and uncle before him, was responsible for the execution of some of the most notorious criminals of the time - from Ruth Ellis and Derek Bentley to John Christie and Lord Haw Haw. Illus., Appendices (which includes List of Executed Persons: Henry Pierrepoint: 105) + Bibliog. 306pp. 8vo. h/back. Includes loosely inserted Bodmin Jail items (see images). As New in dw.