James Berry, a pious Yorkshireman, was Britain's hangman during the
latter half of Queen Victoria's reign, and throughout the period of
the Whitechapel murders. A man of strange contradictions - capable
of cold, callous detachment but so affected by his job that he was
often unable to speak before an execution - Berry was the last
hangman able to write freely about his work. Through Berry's
experiences, Stewart Evans takes us on a journey into the world of
Victorian crime and punishment.
Berry was an ex-policeman who took a genuine interest in his
'victims' - even creating his own 'black museum'. Aiming to be both
efficient and merciful he worked to a table of drops of his own
creation. Unfortunately, this did not prevent a few horrific
incidents. The most notable was the execution of Robert Goodale who
was decapitated by the force of the drop. In contrast, in the
famous case of John Lee, Berry was unable to open the gallows trap.
After three attempts - during which the gallows trap worked
perfectly when Lee was removed - Lee was reprieved.
During his eight years as hangman, Berry executed over 130 men
and women - and even claimed to have hanged Jack the Ripper. He
enjoyed publicity and toured the country talking of his experiences
and showing lantern slides of grim prison scenes and executions.
Yet in later life this contradictory character suffered from
depression and became almost suicidal.
"Executioner" is a biography which offers insight into the world
of the public executioner. It will appeal to all those interested
in crime and punishment in the Victorian era.
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