The hangman

[stanmapstone]

Albert Pierpoint, who was the hangman in the north of England.

Albert Pierrepoint was on the Home Office list of qualified executioners for Great Britain and Ireland (he was accepted by the Irish Republic when it became independent).


Stan

[Lydart]

This is gruesomely fascinating ... I know hanging has been abolished in this country (UK) but what about the rest of Europe ??

[jethorp]

Thanks Stan, I often wondered if the Home Office had a say in the position. Am I right in thinking his son took over from him? or have I been watching too much TV!! JO

[stanmapstone]

His father Henry Pierrepoint and his uncle Thomas Pierrepoint (the longest serving hangman since Calcraft) were executioners before Albert, who held the post from 1931-1956. He resigned in 1956, keeping his reasons for doing so confidential. He subsequently changed his mind about capital punishment, in his autobiography he says "I now sincerely hope that no man is ever called upon to carry out another execution in my country. I have come to the conclusion that executions solve nothing....". He had no children.

Stan

[jethorp]

Thank you so much for explaining that to me I wonder do you know the title of the book I would love to read it.Thanks again Stan.    JO

[stanmapstone]

The book is "Executioner:Pierrepoint" ISBN 0340213078, first published in 1974. It is available online

Stan

[jethorp]

Thanks again I will order that today!!  JO

[Canterburynorth]

I saw a very interesting documentary a couple of weeks ago called the Hangmen, which went into a lot of detail about Pierrepoint and previous Hangmen, it was fascinating,and said he was very proficient at his job! I would be interested to read the book as well. Thanks  Stan.

[caribou]

My wife  makes lace for a hobby and she says that the "death" bobbins are now very rare and worth quite a bit of money.

Bob.