There have been more prisons in London than in any other European city. Of these, Newgate was the largest, most notorious and worst. Built during the twelfth century, it became a legendary place - the inspiration of more poems, plays and novels than any other building in London. It was a place of cruelty and wretchedness, at various times holding Dick Turpin, Titus Oates, Daniel Defoe, Jack Sheppard and Casanova. Because prisons were privately run, any time spent in prison had to be paid for by the prisoner. Housing varied from a private cell with a cleaning woman and a visiting prostitute, to simply lying on the floor with no cover. Those who died inside - and only a quarter of prisoners survived until their execution day - had to stay in Newgate as a rotting corpse until relatives found the money for the body to be released. Stephen Halliday tells the story of Newgate's origins, the criminals it held, the punishments meted out and its rebuilding and reform. This is a compelling slice of London's social and criminal history.

A history of the iconic London prison, featuring insights on daily life, the evolution of prison systems, and famous inmates. As the place where prisoners, male and female, awaited trial, execution, or transportation Newgate was Britain’s most feared gaol for over 700 years. It probably best known today from the novels of Charles Dickens including Barnaby Rudge and Great Expectations. But there is much is more to Newgate than nineteenth century notoriety. In the seventeenth century it saw the exploits of legendary escaper and thief Jack Sheppard. Among its most famous inmates were author Daniel Defoe who was imprisoned there for seditious libel, playwright Ben Jonson for murder, and the Captain Kidd for piracy. This book takes you from the gaol’s 12th century beginnings to its final closure in 1904 and looks at daily life, developments in the treatment of prisoners from the use of torture to penal reform as well as major events in its history. Praise for The History of Newgate Prison “An amazing, entertaining and informative book!” —Books Monthly “This is a highly readable and accessible account, not only of the iconic institution, but also of the history of crime and punishment. It is packed full of evocative detail and is essential reading for all those interested in crime history.” —Who Do You Think You Are? magazine

Presents a representative body of Romantic and early Victorian crime literature. This work contains ephemeral material ranging from gallows broadsides to reports into prison conditions. It is suitable for those studying Literature, Romantic and Victorian popular culture, Dickens Studies and the History of Criminology.

Reproduction of the original: Chronicles of Newgate by Arthur Griffiths

Newgate in Revolution provides a useful and thought-provoking anthology of radical literature - satirical, philosophical and political writings - issued by the radicals and religious dissenters imprisoned in Newgate during the turbulent and nervous period 1780-1848. Newgate was a dreaded prison during this period and its image and reputation coupled to make it the English equivalent of the French Bastille. For those who found themselves incarcerated in Newgate the experience was debilitating and repressive. However, in the case of the radical prisoners it is a curious irony that this repressive environment actually encouraged a fraternal spirit and fertilised a rich production of ideas and literature, which today offers a rare insight into this unique and fascinating culture. Newgate in Revolution reproduces a representative selection of the radical literature published from Newgate, including the first edited version of the prison diary of Thomas Lloyd.

Presents a representative body of Romantic and early Victorian crime literature. This work contains ephemeral material ranging from gallows broadsides to reports into prison conditions. It is suitable for those studying Literature, Romantic and Victorian popular culture, Dickens Studies and the History of Criminology.