THE CHIEFTAIN Victorian True Crime through the Eyes of a Scotland Yard Detective (SIGNED)

Softcover. SIGNED. 'George Clarke joined the Metropolitan Police in 1840. Though a 'slow starter', his career took off when he was transferred to the small team of detectives at Scotland Yard in 1862. Here he rose through the ranks and came to be known as 'The Chieftain'. This book paints the most detailed picture yet of detective work in mid-Victorian Britain, through Clarke's investigations of 'murders most foul', the Fenians, and the diversity of frauds and other crimes perpetrated by the Victorian criminals community. Two particular fraudsters, Harry Benson and William Kurr, were to contribute to the end of Clarke's career and led to the first major Metropolitan Police corruption trial in 1877. In this fascinating book, the author has researched his subject in depth, and has captured the essence of Victorian crime and detection, using widespread sources of information including many of Clarke's own case reports.' Illus., Notes, Bibliog. and Index. 288pp. 8vo. softcover. With tipped-in label SIGNED BY CHRIS PAYNE. Chris Payne is the great-great-grandson of George Clarke. F. with no creasing to covers.